Leh (Ladakh), Jan 23: Chennai's Avikshith Vijay Viswanath reaffirmed his growing stature in Indian winter sport by clinching the men's 500m long track gold at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 at Gupukh Pond.
The win marked his second consecutive gold medal in the men's long track 500m at Khelo India, underlining a level of consistency rarely seen in a discipline where India is still building depth and infrastructure.
The 19-year-old from Tamil Nadu occupies a unique space in Indian skating. He has represented the country in inline speed skating and long track ice skating in consecutive years, a feat unmatched by any Indian so far.
In inline skating, Avikshith made history with an Asian Championship gold, silver and bronze, becoming the first Indian
to secure a triple-medal haul, while also earning a world rank of five in the junior category. On ice, his rapid progression has taken him to eighth in the world rankings in the neo-senior long track category, the best ranking achieved by an Indian to date.
Why Back-to-Back Khelo India Golds Matter
Winning a single Khelo India title can signal promise; defending it points to control and maturity. Competing on natural ice at Gupukh's Pond, where weather and surface conditions demand constant adaptation, Avikshith's second straight gold reflected his growing race intelligence.
In an exclusive interview with myKhel, the Tamil Nadu athlete reflected on the significance of exposure at elite competitions, and said: "When athletes get access and train alongside international athletes, they understand where they stand. That potentially lays the foundation for them to know whether they can actually do something in the sport and progress higher and higher in their career. "
For Avikshith, Khelo India has been more than a medal opportunity - it has been a testing ground that mirrors the pressures of global competition.
From Inline Roots to Ice Ambitions
Avikshith's journey into ice speed skating was not part of a long-term plan but an opportunity seized through the Khelo India pathway. Coming from inline skating, the opening to compete on ice proved transformative.
"Without Khelo India, I would not have had access to ice skating at all. Last year's edition was my first exposure, and that is when I realised I could actually do something on ice. "
That realisation led him to commit to a full ice season, aligning his ambitions with a Winter Olympic discipline.
Learning From Those Who Work Smart
Unlike many athletes who model themselves on famous champions, Avikshithdraws inspiration from discipline and process rather than medals. He said, "In sports, I don't have a specific idol. Everyone I come across who is hardworking and working smart rather than just hard inspires me. When you work smart with a well-structured training programme, that is when you can unleash the actual potential out of you. "
He singled out his mentor as a personal benchmark. "Despite a lot of criticism and people wanting him to retire, he keeps saying his age won't stop him. The kind of passion he has towards the sport and the structure he brings to training-that is something I really admire," he added further.
Overseas Training and World Cup Breakthrough
With no long track ice rink in India, Avikshith has had to pursue his development abroad. He spent four months training in the Netherlands, one of the world's premier speed skating hubs, where access to elite coaching and scientific training proved decisive.
Talking about the experiences in the Europe he said, "The training there was so scientific, so professional and so well structured. Each athlete has access to the best coaches, and that is something we lack in India right now. "
The results followed swiftly. Avikshith qualified for the neo-senior World Cups, finishing 17th in his first appearance and eighth in the second. Based on cumulative points, he now stands eighth overall in the world rankings.
"This is by far the best by any Indian till date, so I am hoping to continue this into the future. My next World Cup is in Germany on February 21 and 22, and I will be pushing for a top-five finish, if not a podium," he added with pride, but stays grounded for he still has a long way to go.
Family, Federation and a Stable Support System
Behind Avikshith's rise is a strong support structure that has allowed him to stay focused on performance. He credits his family for backing him even during moments of doubt. "Despite how many times I wanted to quit, my family always told me that I am still young and have the whole world to conquer. They kept pushing me to training. "
He also acknowledged the role of federation, Ice Skating Association of India, and the Sports Department of Tamil Nadu, which have helped with logistics and financial assistance. "They take care of registrations and support so that I don't have to take pressure and can focus on giving my best on the track," the Chennai boy added.
The Bigger Picture
As India continues to invest in winter sports, Avikshith - who also cleared the CA Foundation examination with distinction - believes platforms like Khelo India are essential for bridging the gap between domestic competition and the world stage. "This is a platform where skaters can know where they stand nationally and whether they actually have a chance at the world stage. "
With two consecutive Khelo India long track golds secured and a World Cup podium firmly in his sights, AvikshithVijay Viswanath's trajectory suggests that India's presence in elite speed skating is no longer theoretical-it is steadily taking shape, one race at a time.
