Khelo India Winter Games 2025: Ladakh End On Prime; Army Edge Out ITBP To Retain Ice-Hockey Title

In their second 12 months as hosts, the Union Territory of Ladakh completed on prime of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, the primary chapter of which ended on the NDS Stadium on Monday. Like all the time, the grand finale noticed the mouth-watering males’s ice hockey remaining and the Indian Army squeezed previous ITBP 2-1 to retain the KIWG crown. The second and remaining part of KIWG 2025 can be held in J&K’s Gulmarg from February 22-25.

Ladakh gained two of the 4 gold medals selected Monday. Their blended relay quartet, comprising Stanzin Jampal, Skarma Tsultim, Mohammed Saquaf Raza, and Padma Angmo, clocked 3:02.19 secs to strike gold. Maharashtra (3:03.78 secs) and Telangana (3:04.85 secs) gained silver and bronze, respectively.

There was extra pleasure for the native followers. In what was candy revenge, Ladakh women romped previous fancied ITBP 4-0 to complete on prime of the ladies’s round-robin league at a packed NDS Stadium advanced. Women’s ice-hockey began solely final 12 months and apparently, Ladakh had misplaced the ultimate match to ITBP by a 4-0 scoreline. Himachal Pradesh gained the bronze.

“It feels amazing and it’s a big moment for our team. Last year, we lost to ITBP but this year, we made a strong comeback. A huge thanks to our coach and the Khelo India administration for bringing this event to Ladakh and making this possible for us,” stated Padma Chorol, a senior member of the UT Ladakh ladies’s ice hockey group.

Tamil Nadu confirmed why it’s rising as a centre for budding skaters. In the ultimate skating occasion on Monday, the 500m ladies’s lengthy observe (at Gupuks), noticed Yashashree successful Tamil Nadu’s third gold of KIWG 2025. She clocked 00:58.00 seconds. Riya Vilas Gayakwad of Maharashtra (1:04.31 secs) and Srija S. Rao of Karnataka (1:04.93 secs) gained silver and bronze, respectively, within the tightest of finishes.

KIWG 2025 toppers Ladakh (7 medals, together with 4 gold) have been adopted by Tamil Nadu (5 medals together with three gold). Maharashtra completed with the utmost variety of medals (10) however solely two gold medals meant they completed third. Maharashtra completed on prime in KIWG 2024, successful 20 skating medals together with six gold. Telangana (2 gold) completed fourth and Karnataka (1 gold) fifth in KIWG 2025.

Army defended their ice-hockey crown however solely after surviving some shut moments. Backed by their younger and vociferous followers from Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, who sang a preferred Bollywood chartbuster from the film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the Army group appeared charged from the very first minute. Monday’s win was sweeter as a result of Army had misplaced to ITBP 3-1 in a league match on Saturday.

In Monday’s remaining, there have been no targets within the first two durations and all three targets got here within the remaining quarter-hour of play. It was a pacy encounter between two workmanlike groups fielding a number of national-level gamers.

Army took the lead within the third minute of the ultimate interval. Rigzin Norboo capped a nice help from nationwide participant Dorjay Angchok to offer Army the lead with a intelligent end on the far put up. Army misplaced the lead after an unmarked Rigzin Norboo equalised for ITBP on an help from Tashi Namgail within the thirteenth minute. Angchok as soon as once more performed a key position as Padma Norboo stored his cool to make it 2-1 for the Army group with a minute left on the clock.

Army coach Rinchen Tundup instructed SAI Media: “Our group has been enjoying matches back-to-back, beginning with the CEC Cup, then the LG Cup, and now Khelo India. We did not get a lot time to apply, however I’m glad the group carried out properly. We gained all three Cups, and I’m proud of their efficiency. I additionally wish to thank the ITBP group for giving us powerful competitors in as we speak’s remaining.”

DAY 5 RESULTS (Jan 27)

ICE HOCKEY

Men’s remaining at NDS: Indian Army beat ITBP 2-1; Losing semi-finalists Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh acquired bronze.

Women’s remaining round-robin league at NDS: Ladakh beat ITBP 4-0 for gold; Himachal Pradesh gained bronze.

ICE SKATING (all finals)

MIX relay (at NDS): 1. UT- Ladakh (Stanzin Jampal, Skarma Tsultim, Mohammed Saquaf Raza, Padma Angmo) 3:02.19 secs 2. Maharashtra (Ishan Darvekar, Vyom Sawant, Swaroopa Deshmukh, Anvayi Deshpande) 3:03.78 secs 3. Telangana (Pranav Madav, Vishnu, Nayana Sri, Geetika) 3:04.85 sec.

500m ladies lengthy observe (at Gupuks): 1. Yashashree (Tamil Nadu) 00:58.00 secs; 2. Riya Vilas Gayakwad (Maharashtra) 1:04.31 secs 3. Srija S Rao (Karnataka) 1:04.93 secs.