Leh, Jan 24: Hosts Ladakh finally struck gold at the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 on Saturday as the women’s short-track speed skating relay team held their nerve through a dramatic race to finish first at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium here. The home victory pushed Ladakh to second place in the overall medal standings, while Haryana stayed on top after adding two more gold medals from short-track skating events.
The 2000 metres women’s relay final turned into a tough test of balance and composure, with repeated slips and crashes unsettling several teams. Ladakh’s quartet — Skarma Tsultim, Shabana Zara, Tasnia Shameem and Insha Fatima — were also caught in the chaos, but their quick recovery after each fall and controlled skating made the difference. They crossed the line well ahead of Karnataka, while Maharashtra was later disqualified.
Skating on home ice, the Ladakh team drew loud support from a packed stadium that remained engaged till the final lap. Despite losing rhythm twice due to falls, the skaters regrouped swiftly, stuck to their race plan and steadily pulled away in the later stages. Official timing showed Ladakh finishing a massive 87.48 seconds ahead of Karnataka, underlining their dominance despite the setbacks.
Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere at the NDS Stadium as charged, with the crowd rising every time the home skaters regained speed after a slip. Video clips from the venue showed the Ladakh team accelerating sharply in the closing rounds, drawing cheers as they powered towards the finish line.
The gold medal carried added meaning for the hosts, reaffirming Ladakh’s growing strength in winter sports. The women’s relay team had earlier won gold at the 4th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games in 2024, and Saturday’s win confirmed their consistency at the national level.
Skarma Tsultim, Ladakh’s first international speed skater, once again played a leading role in the triumph. Over the years, she has become one of the most recognised faces of winter sports in the region, with previous medals including relay gold and individual silver finishes. Her journey reflects the steady rise of athletes from high-altitude regions, supported by platforms like Khelo India.
The victory added momentum to Ladakh’s medal tally and sparked celebrations among local sports lovers. Coaches and officials at the venue said such performances are inspiring more youngsters from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to take up winter sports, even in the face of harsh weather and limited facilities.
Meanwhile, competition at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, being held from January 20 to 26 across Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, continued to throw up close contests in ice skating and ice hockey. Haryana remained at the top of the medal table, driven by strong outings in figure skating.
As hosts, Ladakh have also impressed in ice hockey, with both men’s and women’s teams advancing to the finals, highlighting the region’s growing depth across winter disciplines.
The Ladakh women’s relay gold stands as a strong reminder of the grit and resilience of athletes from the Himalayan belt, and of how sustained exposure and competition are helping talent from remote areas find a firm place on the national sporting stage.
