PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Three players from Uttarakhand represented India at the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy held at Himadri Ice Rink, Dehradun, with 14-year-old Himagni Sharma winning bronze.
The information was given by the Ice Skating Association of Uttarakhand president Shiv Painuly at a press conference here on Friday. The tournament was held from August 17 to 20, 2026 under the aegis of the Ice Skating Association of India.
Painuly said Himagni Sharma, Agrima Bhatt and Ayush Ramesh Kanswal secured place among 120 Indian players and competed in 333 metres, 500 metres, 1000 metres and 1500 meters events. A total of 270 players from 14 countries participated in the tournament.
This was the first time Uttarakhand speed skaters participated in an international event after qualifying through nationals, he said.
He said that Sharma won bronze beating players from Thailand, Philippines, China and other countries.
Painuly said if the players get Himadri Ice Rink for longer duration at concessional rates, they can win more medals.
He said with this bronze, Uttarakhand’s total international medals in ice skating has reached eight and national medals to around 60.
This year, 19 players from the State participated in the National Ice Skating Championship and won nine medals, he said. If access to the rink becomes easier, the number can cross 100 next year, he said.
Painuly said the association had been demanding reopening of the rink which was closed for 14 years. The rink was reopened due to efforts of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Sports minister Rekha Arya and Special Principal Secretary (SPS) Sports Amit Sinha.
