New Delhi:
In a stellar display of speed and skill, 15-year-old Nayana Sri Talluri from Telangana has secured the first gold medal of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, marking a significant milestone in the growth of winter sports in India. Held in the picturesque city of Leh, the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 have once again highlighted the emerging talent in Indian winter sports, particularly among junior skaters.
Nayana Sri Talluri’s victory in the women’s 500m short track event at the NDS Stadium is her third consecutive gold medal in the Khelo India Winter Games, following her wins in Gulmarg in 2023 and in KIWG 2024. Her impressive time of 1:01.35 seconds left competitors from Karnataka and Maharashtra in her wake. Pratheeksha KS from Karnataka and Swaroopa Deshmukh from Maharashtra took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
This year’s competition is notable for featuring some of the best junior skaters in the country, as several top Indian skaters are currently training abroad for the Asian Winter Games in February. Nayana, who has previously won a 3000m women’s relay gold at the 2024 Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating championship in Jakarta, continues to build on her international experience and exposure.
In the men’s 1000m long track speed skating event, Harshith BT from Karnataka took the gold medal with a time of 1:44.22 seconds. Guru Harshan H from Tamil Nadu, despite the challenges posed by Ladakh’s thin air and unfamiliar ice surface, finished second with a commendable time of 1:55.38 seconds. Sachin Singh from Haryana secured the bronze medal.
Guru Harshan H’s performance is particularly noteworthy, given that it was his first long track race in Ladakh. His experience in short track speed skating, including a bronze medal in the under-10 category in 2019 and participation in the third Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg in 2023, has prepared him well for the challenges of long track racing.
The ice hockey competition has seen dominant performances by teams like ITBP, Army, and UT-Ladakh. ITBP defeated Haryana 11-0, while UT-Ladakh beat Chandigarh 6-0. The Army team, defending men’s champions, continued their supremacy by beating Maharashtra 15-0. In the women’s category, UT-Ladakh secured a 6-1 win over Chandigarh.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 are more than just a competition; they serve as a crucial platform for junior skaters to gain valuable experience and set higher benchmarks. With the absence of senior skaters, this year’s games have provided an opportunity for younger athletes to shine and prepare for future international competitions.
