Did Ladakh Secure Their First Gold at KIWG 2026 with a Stellar Women’s Relay?
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Synopsis
A thrilling day at the KIWG 2026 as Ladakh claims its first gold medal in women's short track relay! With Haryana leading the medal tally, discover how individual skaters like Sachin Singh and Nayana Sri Talluri shone brightly. Dive into the exciting world of Khelo India Winter Games and witness the spirit of competition and camaraderie.
Key Takeaways
- Ladakh secures its first gold in women's 2000m short track relay.
- Sachin Singh emerges as a dual gold medalist for Haryana.
- Nayana Sri Talluri continues her winning streak with another gold.
- Competition was fierce among states, highlighting the spirit of the Khelo India Winter Games.
- Events foster unity and showcase the talent of young athletes.
Leh (Ladakh), Jan 24 (NationPress) The host state of Ladakh achieved a remarkable milestone by clinching their inaugural gold medal at the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, as their women's relay team triumphed in the 2000 metres short track event at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium on Saturday. Despite this victory, Haryana continued to lead the medal tally, securing two additional golds in short-track skating, bringing their total to four golds.
With their victory in the 2000m short track relay, the home team Ladakh ascended to the second place in the overall medal standings. The talented team consisting of Skarma Tsultim, Shabana Zara, Tasnia Shameem, and Insha Fatima showcased their prowess, outpacing competitors from Karnataka and Maharashtra, who were the only teams to advance to the finals. The race, filled with tumbles and spills, saw Ladakh recover from their falls, ultimately securing the gold medal.
Sachin Singh from Haryana was the highlight of the day, first winning the men’s 500m short track sprint, followed by contributing to his team’s gold in the 3000 metres short track relay, finishing ahead of Karnataka (silver) and Himachal Pradesh (bronze). With this feat, Sachin became the first skater in KIWG history to earn two gold medals.
“Today’s victory is incredible. This is my first national gold medal, and I take immense pride in representing Haryana. The encouragement from my coach, managers, and the Haryana association has been invaluable. My managers, Deepak Kohar and Kunal Lohan ji, have supported me throughout this championship, which means a lot to me,” remarked the 26-year-old skater to SAI Media. Sachin trains at the Youngsters Academy in Dehradun. “This gold medal is the product of collective effort and support,” he added.
Khelo India Winter Games has consistently been a fruitful event for Telangana’s Nayana Sri Talluri, who secured her first gold of KIWG 2026 in the women’s 500m short track on Saturday. This victory marked her fourth consecutive gold in the 500m short course.
“Winning again feels amazing. I was a hat-trick gold medallist at the Khelo India Winter Games in 2025 and have achieved this for four consecutive years. I am thrilled right now. The competition was intense, which makes this achievement even more special. I’m proud to have reached this milestone,” expressed Nayana to SAI Media. Now training in Canada, she came to Leh specifically for these Games.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS:
ICE SKATING FINALS
(Short track 500m men): 1. Sachin Singh (Haryana) 46.14 sec 2. Ishaan Darvekar (Maharashtra) 46.36 sec 3. Muthakani Vishnu Vardhan (Telangana) 47.31 sec.
(Short track 500m women): 1. Nayana Sri Talluri (Telangana) 50.49 sec 2. Schaleen Farnandes (Maharashtra) 51.44 sec 3. Anvayee Deshpande (Maharashtra) 51.53 sec.
(Short track relay 3000m men): 1. Haryana (Sachin Singh, Aarav Singhal, Jai Yadav, Rohit Kumar) 5:16.96 2. Karnataka (GV Raghavendra, Dheemanth Mahesh, Srivatsa S Rao, Omkara Yogaraj) 5:17.23 3. Himachal Pradesh (Kaushal Thakur, Divyansh Thakur, Samarth Attri, Ashutosh) 7:08.89 seconds.
(Short track relay 2000m women): 1. Ladakh (Skarma Tsultim, Shabana Zara, Tasnia Shameem, Insha Fatima) 3:49.23 secs 2. Karnataka (Srija S Rao, Sahasra Nellaturi, H Ramganesh, Shreedhanya P) 4:36.71. 3. Maharashtra – disqualified.
ICE HOCKEY
Women’s bronze medal match: Chandigarh defeated Himachal Pradesh 4-3 in extra time.
Point of View
The event not only highlights individual excellence but also fosters a sense of unity and pride among participants, reflecting the spirit of sportsmanship on a national level.
NationPress
24/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main highlights of KIWG 2026?
The key highlights of KIWG 2026 included Ladakh winning its first gold medal in the women's 2000m short track relay and Sachin Singh from Haryana winning two gold medals in men's events.
Which states performed best in KIWG 2026?
Haryana led the medal standings with four golds, while Ladakh and Telangana also secured significant victories, showcasing their athletic talent.
Where was KIWG 2026 held?
KIWG 2026 took place at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium in Leh, Ladakh.
How did Ladakh perform in the short track relay?
Ladakh's women's team excelled in the 2000m short track relay, winning gold and demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork.
Who was the standout athlete from Haryana?
Sachin Singh was the standout athlete from Haryana, winning gold in both the men's 500m short track sprint and the 3000m short track relay.
