Indian Army Commands Opening Day at Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Gulmarg
The Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 commenced with spectacular energy in Jammu and Kashmir, as the Indian Army asserted its dominance by capturing three out of the five gold medals available on the inaugural day, Monday. This strong start highlighted the institutional prowess and emerging talent within India's winter sports arena, setting a competitive tone for the prestigious national event.
Alpine Skiing Showcases Thrilling Rivalries
In the women's alpine giant slalom, a captivating contest unfolded between teammates from Himachal Pradesh. Sandhya Thakur delivered a stunning performance, clocking 1:23.285 to narrowly defeat the more decorated Aanchal Thakur, who finished with a time of 1:23.985. This victory underscored the depth of talent in the region. Adding to the excitement, Karnataka's promising 17-year-old Jiah Aryan, competing in her second KIWG, secured a bronze medal with a time of 1:31.064, showcasing her potential against seasoned seniors who have represented India at the Asian Winter Games.
Nordic Skiing Brings High Drama and Emotional Moments
The Nordic skiing events were marked by intense competition and heartfelt stories. In the women's 15km cross-country race at the Golf Course, CRPF's Kajal Kumari Rai achieved a remarkable upset, finishing in 52:08.29 to claim gold. This victory relegated Karnataka's veteran Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda, who had won three golds in the previous edition, to bronze with a time of 53:20.44. Kajal's CRPF teammate Renu Danu took silver in 53:10.81. In an emotional tribute, Kajal, originally from Meghalaya, dedicated her win to her father, who passed away in February last year, adding a poignant layer to her achievement.
On the men's side, the Indian Army demonstrated its strength in the Nordic sprint (1.5km). Sunny Singh from Kathua, trained at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, led an impressive Army sweep by taking gold in 3:06.83. He was followed by teammates Shubam Parihar with silver (3:07.35) and Manjeet with bronze (3:08.73), highlighting the Army's comprehensive training programs and competitive edge.
Snowboarding and Alpine Events Reinforce Army Supremacy
The Army's dominance extended into snowboarding and alpine disciplines. In the men's snowboarding slalom, Vivek Rana secured gold with a time of 1:01.439, followed by Kulvinder Sharma with silver (1:02.854) and J&K's Vikar Ahmad Lone with bronze (1:03.174). This performance emphasized the Army's versatility across different winter sports.
Similarly, the men's Alpine Giant Slalom witnessed another clean sweep by the Army. Mayank Panwar claimed gold with a time of 1:06.479, Baqir Hussain took silver in 1:07.194, and Devendra Gurung earned bronze with 1:09.473. These results solidified the Army's position as a powerhouse in the Khelo India Winter Games, with CRPF and Himachal Pradesh also making their mark by each securing one gold medal on this action-packed day.
The opening day of KIWG 2026 not only celebrated athletic excellence but also highlighted the growing infrastructure and support for winter sports in India. With emerging talents like Sandhya Thakur and Jiah Aryan stepping up, and institutional teams like the Army and CRPF showcasing their capabilities, the event promises more thrilling competitions in the days ahead, fostering a vibrant winter sports culture across the nation.
