The inaugural gold medal of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was decided at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh, Ladakh. Haryana secured two gold medals in figure skating, with Uttarakhand and Kerala each claiming one. Haryana leads the medal tally with five medals, including 1 silver and 2 bronze.
Figure skating made its debut at the Ladakh leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, featuring 20 skaters from five states and two Union Territories. The event included categories like novice free skating and advanced short program. Hiya Adlakha of Haryana clinched the first gold medal, while local skaters Stanzin Khando and Tenzin Kunzin from Ladakh took silver and bronze, respectively.
Hiya, a 15-year-old from a sports-oriented family, excels in figure skating despite limited coaching resources. Having won a national gold medal in 2025 and participated in global competitions, she aspires to represent India at prestigious events like World Cups and the Olympics.
The figure skaters’ performances were evaluated based on composition, presentation, and skating skills by judges from Taipei. The Khelo India Winter Games is organized by the Youth Services and Sports department of Ladakh in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, with technical oversight from National Sports Federations.
Adarsh Singh Rawat claimed the gold in the novice boys’ category, while the advanced boys’ and girls’ performances garnered much anticipation. Haryana’s Gauri Rai and Kerala’s Abhijith Amal Raj showcased remarkable skills, with Gauri securing the gold medal. Gauri, a seasoned skater with numerous national medals, expressed her dedication to continuous improvement and representing India on the global stage.
