“Army Claims Victory at Khelo India Winter Games 2024, Karnataka Nabs Second Place
Bobby Pandey’s Remarkable Alpine Skiing Triumph Propels Army to the Summit with 10 Gold Medals, Just Edging Out Karnataka by One; Maharashtra Secures Third Position
The thrilling conclusion of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 unfolded at Gulmarg, with Alpine skier Bobby Pandey’s dazzling performance in the parallel slalom event clinching the gold for the Army team. Pandey’s spectacular victory proved pivotal as Army surged to the top of the medal table with an impressive haul of 10 gold medals, narrowly surpassing Karnataka by a single gold, while Maharashtra secured a commendable third place overall. This dramatic shift in standings came after the initial leg of the competition held in Ladakh from February 2-5, where Maharashtra had led the charts.
In a captivating showdown on Sunday, Uttarkhand’s Mehak emerged victorious in the women’s parallel slalom event, contributing to her team’s fifth-place finish in the medal standings, securing three gold medals across various skiing disciplines. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh, led by Aanchal Thakur’s stellar performance, secured the fourth spot with four gold medals to their credit.
Army, previously triumphant in ice hockey during the Ladakh leg, showcased their versatility in Gulmarg, amassing nine gold medals. Noteworthy performances by snowboarder Kulvinder Sharma and Nordic skier Padma Namgial further bolstered Army’s dominance, with each athlete clinching two individual gold medals for the team.
Karnataka, renowned for its prowess in ice-skating, demonstrated remarkable competitiveness in Gulmarg, largely propelled by top skier Thekkada Bhavani Nanjunda. The 28-year-old, a certified trainer and mountaineer, secured a remarkable hattrick of gold medals, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s strong showing.
The successful execution of the technical aspects of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 was attributed to the meticulous management by the Sports Authority of India. Notably, the involvement of six Olympians, including Shiva Keshavan and Arif Mohammed Khan, lent invaluable expertise to the conduct of the winter Games, further enhancing the event’s prestige and success.”
