Punjab Newsline,Sports:
17-year-old Haryana skater creates history in Leh, wins gold as figure skating debuts at Khelo India Winter Games
Seventeen-year-old figure skater Gauri Rai from Haryana delivered an outstanding performance at the first leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 in Leh, winning the gold medal in the advanced figure skating category. The competition was held at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan Stadium (NDS), where figure skating was included for the first time in KIWG’s history. With this win, Gauri not only achieved a major milestone in her career but also marked a proud moment for Indian winter sports.
Gauri, who lives in Gurugram, began her skating journey as a roller skater. She revealed that her life took a turning point in 2017 when she watched a figure skating event at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. “I had been doing roller skating for a long time, but I always wanted something that had both speed and grace. When I saw a figure skating event at Ambience Mall, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue,” she said. From quad skating to inline skating and eventually figure skating, her journey has been challenging yet inspiring.
Despite winning the top prize, Gauri admitted she was not expecting to finish first. She explained that performing at high altitude was difficult, and she struggled with breathing during her routine. “I was not confident because I was out of breath during my performance. I am not used to this altitude, so I couldn’t give my best,” she said. She also mentioned that her competitor Jessy Raj Mathrapu, who was considered the favourite, suffered a fall, which changed the outcome and helped Gauri clinch the gold.
Gauri shared that her mother had full faith in her victory even when she herself was unsure. After the results were announced, her family celebrated the achievement through a video call. She added that her parents were extremely happy and everyone at home demanded a big party. Gauri has also represented India internationally, including winning a silver medal at the UAE Figure Skating Championship in Dubai in 2022. She has competed in countries such as South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Bulgaria.
The Gurugram-based student of Manav Rachna International School praised the Khelo India initiative and thanked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for organising a world-class event. She appreciated the smooth ice surface at NDS and the excellent facilities provided to athletes, including accommodation, food, and transportation. She also highlighted the importance of media coverage by DD Sports and others, saying that figure skating is still a new sport in India and needs wider visibility to reach more people.
While Gauri believes figure skating is growing in India, she stressed that major improvements are still needed in infrastructure. She pointed out that skaters abroad practice up to 16 hours a day, while Indian athletes face limitations due to lack of facilities. “We need more artificial ice surfaces and Olympic-size rinks. Right now, we have only two in the country—the other one is in Dehradun. That’s the only way to produce more quality players,” she said.
Gauri is now preparing for an International Skating Union (ISU) Seminar scheduled for March or April, where athletes undergo tests to determine if they are ready for international competitions.