KIWG 2026: Padma Namgail's Gold Helps Army Storm to the Top; Aanchal Thakur and Kajal Kumari Rai Shine on Day 2

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Gulmarg, Feb 24: The Indian Army asserted its dominance on the slopes of Gulmarg this Tuesday (February 24), seizing the lead in the overall medal standings on Day 2 of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026. With a total of five gold medals now in their tally, the Army contingent has displaced overnight leaders to sit comfortably at the summit.

The day was marked by high-octane performances, emotional triumphs, and the clinical precision of India's winter sports veterans.

Army's Nordic Sweep

The Army's ascent to the top was fueled by an extraordinary display in the Men's 10 km Nordic race at the Gulmarg Golf Course. Led by star skier Padma Namgail, the Army team achieved a rare feat by securing the top nine positions in the event.

Namgail clocked a blistering 23:18.63 to take gold, followed by teammates Aman Kumar and Manjeet. Defending champion Sunny Singh, also of the Army, finished sixth in a testament to the depth of the squad's talent.

Double Gold for CRPF's Kajal Kumari Rai

One of the most moving stories of the Games continues to be Kajal Kumari Rai. Representing the CRPF, the Meghalaya-born cross-country skier secured her second consecutive gold medal of the competition.

Winning the 10 km Nordic gold for women, Rai held off a strong challenge from CRPF's Hiral (Silver) and Karnataka's Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda (Bronze). Rai's resilience has become a focal point of the Gulmarg leg, as she continues to compete and win while mourning the recent loss of her father.

Aanchal Thakur Strikes Gold for Himachal

In Alpine Skiing, veteran Aanchal Thakur lived up to her billing. The Himachal Pradesh star claimed her first gold of the 2026 edition in the Giant Slalom, finishing with a commanding time of 48.984 seconds. Himachal secured a 1-2 finish in the event as Tanuja Thakur took silver, while Karnataka's rising star Jiah Aryan continued her impressive run by bagging the bronze.

Maharashtra and Uttarakhand Join the Gold Rush

Maharashtra made their mark on the Kongdoori slopes through Kamiyaa Karthikeyan, who secured the state's first gold in the Ski Mountaineering (Vertical) competition. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand celebrated a victory in the Men's Ski Mountaineering (Vertical) as Shardul Thaplial outpaced Maharashtra's Siddhartha Gadekar to take the top spot on the podium.

Day 2 Results (All Finals) - Khelo India Winter Games 2026

As the action intensifies in Gulmarg, the Army looks to widen its lead, but with Haryana and Maharashtra breathing down their necks, the race for the overall trophy remains wide open.