* Born for the Tropics, 17-Year-Old Jiah Aryan Brought Bengaluru to the Slopes
* CRPF Skier Renu Danu Compressed an Olympic Cycle in 2 Years, Wins 3 Silvers
* From the Western Ghats to Winter Gold, Kaamya Karthikeyan Scripts History
* Kajal Kumari Rai Makes Powerful Statement with Two Golds
* Experience Meets Redemption in Aanchal Thakur’s Golden Turn
* Zubair Ahmad Lone Delivers J&K’s Lone Gold
Gulmarg, Feb 28 (JKNS): From February 23 to 26, the snow-clad slopes of Gulmarg hosted the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, where beyond medals and podium finishes, a compelling story of India’s emerging winter sports generation unfolded.
While traditional powerhouses once again marked their presence, this edition witnessed athletes from non-traditional winter regions stepping into the spotlight. They arrived with diverse backgrounds — from tropical cities and paramilitary ranks — carrying aspirations that stretched far beyond the valley’s white horizons.
Among the standout performers was 17-year-old Jiah Aryan from Bengaluru, who clinched two bronze medals in Alpine Skiing — one each in Slalom and Giant Slalom. Trained initially at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Jiah later honed her skills at the Kron Platz Racing Centre in Italy. Her aggressive approach and technical confidence drew attention from talent scouts, who view her as one of India’s promising winter prospects.
Currently pursuing her studies through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Jiah balances academics with elite training. Backed by the Reliance Foundation, which provides access to physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutrition, equipment and financial assistance, she has set her sights on becoming the first Indian female winter athlete to win Olympic gold.
If Jiah’s journey reflects structured grooming, CRPF athlete Renu Danu’s story underscores rapid ascent. Having seen snow for the first time just two years ago, she secured three silver medals in Nordic 15-km, Nordic 1.5-km Sprint, and Ski Mountaineering Relay events. Her swift rise in endurance-intensive Nordic disciplines highlights remarkable adaptability and discipline.
Nineteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan of Maharashtra etched history by winning gold in Ski Mountaineering — the first for her state in the discipline at the Khelo India Winter Games. Her achievement signaled the widening geographical footprint of winter sports in India, traditionally dominated by Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
CRPF’s Kajal Kumari Rai, 25, from Meghalaya, delivered a commanding performance by winning two gold medals in the women’s 15-km and 10-km Nordic events, showcasing strength and tactical precision on the tracks.
Veteran alpine skier Aanchal Thakur, 29, from Himachal Pradesh, added experience to the narrative by clinching her maiden gold in Giant Slalom, marking a moment of redemption and perseverance in her career.
For the host region, Zubair Ahmad Lone brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir by securing the Union Territory’s only gold medal of the edition in Snowboarding Giant Slalom, drawing loud cheers on home snow.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said the Games align with India’s broader vision of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, emphasizing that sports development forms a critical pillar of national progress.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing intent to host the 2036 Olympic Games in India and the proposed “Khelo Bharat Niti” focusing on long-term athlete development and infrastructure, winter sports are steadily gaining institutional backing.
Though still evolving, the Khelo India Winter Games are increasingly serving as a testing ground for emerging talent. For four days in Gulmarg, athletes from Bengaluru, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Kashmir stood united on the same podium, reflecting a shift India is no longer merely participating in winter sports; it is methodically preparing for a larger global stage. (JKNS)
