KIWG 2026: Haryana tops figure skating with two gold medals

A day after the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 were inaugurated in Leh, Haryana emerged on top in figure skating, winning two gold medals on Wednesday, while Uttarakhand and Kerala claimed one gold each.

Officials said the first four gold medals of KIWG 2026 were decided at the NDS Stadium in Leh, all in the figure skating events. Figure skating made its debut in the Ladakh leg of the Khelo India Winter Games this year.

An Olympic discipline known for its grace and precision, figure skating featured 20 skaters from five states and two Union Territories, competing in two categories — novice free skating and advanced short programme.

The first gold medal was won by Hiya Adlakha of Haryana, while Stanzin Khando and Tenzin Kunzin, both from Ladakh, secured the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Hiya, 15, was selected for an Olympic Council of Asia training camp in China and won a national gold medal in 2025. Competing internationally in the Intermediate Novice category, she continues to pursue her ambition of representing India at World Cups and the Olympic Games.

In the other events, Adarsh Singh Rawat won the novice boys’ gold medal, while Haryana’s Gauri Rai claimed gold in the advanced category.

The performances were judged on three parameters — composition, presentation, and skating skills. The judging panel included a referee and a technical controller, both from Taipei.

Teams from 19 states, comprising 1,060 participants — including athletes, technical officials, support staff, and volunteers — along with contingents from the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, are participating in the Games.