Leh (Ladakh): Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh claimed the top honours in long-track speed skating on Day 3 of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, as Avikshith Vijay Viswanat and Udreka Singh won the men’s and women’s 500m gold medals, respectively, at the scenic Gupukh’s Pond here on Thursday.
The Ladakh leg of the Games will conclude on Republic Day.
Haryana continued to lead the overall medal tally, riding on the back of their figure skating gold medals secured earlier in the competition. Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, with one gold each, are tied for second place, while hosts Ladakh occupy sixth position with two silver and two bronze medals.
Like previous editions, athletes from the plains once again matched skill and resilience with competitors from snow-bound regions. Nineteen-year-old Avikshith successfully defended his title, clocking 43.48 seconds to win the men’s 500m long-track gold. The race underlined the growing dominance of southern states in ice skating, with the top six positions shared by skaters from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Danda Chandra Mouli of Andhra Pradesh took silver in 43.97 seconds, while Karnataka’s Harshith BT claimed bronze with a timing of 44.13 seconds.
In the women’s event, 15-year-old Udreka Singh of Madhya Pradesh continued her upward trajectory in her third appearance at the Games. Skating in long-track boots and blades for the first time, she surged to gold in 53.94 seconds, finishing ahead of local favourite Skarma Tsultim of Ladakh (54.21). Tasnia Shameem, also of Ladakh, secured the bronze with a time of 57.41 seconds.
In ice hockey, the Army men maintained their winning momentum in Group A, registering a commanding 10–1 victory over Chandigarh at the NDS Stadium. Padma Norboo starred with a hat-trick, while Tsewang Dorjay and Jigmath Kunzang contributed two goals each. Earlier, the Army had opened their campaign with a 5–1 win over Himachal Pradesh.
The women’s ice-hockey competition also saw dominant performances, with Ladakh and ITBP remaining on course for another final clash. Ladakh defeated Chandigarh 5–0, while ITBP blanked Himachal Pradesh 7–0. Haryana also posted a 2–0 win over Rajasthan.
Results
Ice Skating – Long Track 500m (Men): Avikshith Vijay Viswanat (Tamil Nadu) – 43.48 sec, Danda Chandra Mouli (Andhra Pradesh) – 43.97 sec, Harshith BT (Karnataka) – 44.13 sec.
Ice Skating – Long Track 500m (Women): Udreka Singh (Madhya Pradesh) – 53.94 sec, Skarma Tsultim (Ladakh) – 54.21 sec, Tasnia Shameem (Ladakh) – 57.41 sec.
Ice Hockey: Women: Ladakh bt Chandigarh 5–0; ITBP bt Himachal Pradesh 7–0; Haryana bt Rajasthan 2–0.
Men: Army bt Chandigarh 10–1.
