LEH: When figure skating debuted at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Ladakh, it signified more than just a new sport; it represented the emergence of a long-awaited national platform. At the heart of this moment was Abhijith Amal Raj from Kerala, who ultimately secured gold in the men’s advanced figure skating category, achieving a significant personal milestone.
Abhijith’s presence in Ladakh carried significance well beyond a single competition. He is among India’s most distinguished artistic figure skaters, a world champion in artistic roller skating, winning gold at the 2019 World Roller Skating Championship, as well as medals at the Asian Roller Skating Championships in 2023 and 2025, and at the World Skate Oceania and Pacific Cup in 2023. Nevertheless, his participation in the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 marked a different milestone: a return to ice figure skating and an opportunity to compete on a prominent national stage at home.
Abhijith’s journey began early: he was skating before he could talk and began formal lessons at age three. In coastal Kerala, however, ice skating was rare and hard to access. The high costs of gear, coaching, and facilities transformed his potential into a challenge of perseverance and money. His father committed all his resources to support his training.