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Chasing Gold through Snow. Kodagu’s Thekkada Bhavani becomes the first Indian woman to win international skiing medals

Kodagu’s Thekkada Bhavani becomes the first Indian woman to win international skiing medals

While many youngsters influenced by Bollywood dream of entering the world of glamour and fame, here is a girl who chose a very different path — the icy slopes of the mountains. Inspired by adventure and driven by determination, she turned her passion for mountaineering into a historic achievement, becoming the first Indian woman to win medals at an international-level cross-country skiing championship.

A native of Napoklu in Kodagu district, Thekkada Bhavani Nanjunda defied all odds to make not just her hometown, but the entire State and Nation proud. She clinched bronze medals in the 5 km distance race and 1.3 km sprint at the South American Cross-Country Skiing FIS Competition held at Corralco, Chile, in September this year.

Bhavani has represented India at several prestigious international events, including the Nordic World Championships and the Asian Winter Games. A multiple medal winner at the Khelo India Games and the National Skiing Championship, she is now rigorously training to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Daughter of Thekkada Nanjunda (Shambu) and Parvathi (Divya) of Perur village near Napoklu, Bhavani draws her strength from her roots and family support. Her younger sister, Thekkada Seethamma, works for a private firm in Bengaluru.

Star of Mysore caught up with the trailblazing athlete to learn more about her journey, challenges and preparations for the upcoming Olympics. Excerpts…

Bhavani (second from right) seen with her father Thekkada Nanjunda (Shambu), mother Parvathi (Divya) and younger sister Thekkada Seethamma.

Star of Mysore (SOM): How did your journey in cross-country skiing begin?

Bhavani: It all started after I watched the movie ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. That’s when I first learned about the majestic Himalayan mountain range, which inspired me to join the NCC Air Wing during my college days.

In 2014, I attended a mountaineering camp in Manali — that was my first encounter with snow, something we never see back home in Kodagu. The experience changed my life completely. I wanted to explore the mountains more deeply and decided to take up skiing so I could glide down the peaks I climbed. Over time, I discovered cross-country skiing and fell in love with it for the endurance, precision, and mental strength it demands.

SOM: What inspired you to pursue adventure sports, and cross-country skiing in particular?

Bhavani: I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors and adventure. But my biggest inspiration came from Marit Bjørgen of Norway — one of the greatest cross-country skiers in history. Her strength, determination, and consistency truly motivated me. Watching her made me want to follow that path and represent India in a sport that very few from our country have even attempted.

SOM: Cross-country skiing is known for its toughness. How did you master such a demanding sport?

Bhavani: It’s been a long and challenging journey. I had no background in snow sports and limited access to proper facilities in the beginning. But I stayed consistent — training first in India, then in New Zealand, and later in Europe. Each season taught me something new — from refining my technique to building endurance and mental resilience. It’s a constant process of learning, and even today, every single day on the snow feels like an opportunity to improve.

SOM: How does it feel to be the only Indian woman to win cross-country skiing medals at an international event?

Bhavani: It’s an incredibly proud and emotional feeling. Standing on the podium with the Indian flag was one of the most special moments of my life. But beyond the medals, it’s about proving that Indian athletes can compete in winter sports at the highest level. I hope my journey inspires more youngsters, especially girls, to explore lesser-known sports and believe that nothing is impossible.

SOM: How have your parents supported you throughout your journey?

Bhavani: My parents have been my biggest strength. Even though they didn’t fully understand the sport initially, they always believed in me and supported my dreams. Their encouragement gave me the courage to pursue such an unconventional path. Every achievement of mine belongs to them as much as it does to me.

SOM: Now that you have reached the international stage, what is your next goal?

Bhavani: My primary focus is the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. I want to qualify and represent India with strong performances on the world stage. At the same time, I hope to raise awareness about winter sports and help build better infrastructure in India, so the next generation has opportunities I didn’t have.

SOM: What advice would you give to youngsters wanting to take up cross-country skiing?

Bhavani: I would say, just start. Don’t wait for perfect conditions or ideal facilities. Passion and perseverance can take you a long way. Cross-country skiing challenges you physically and mentally, but it also teaches resilience, patience, and self-belief. If I could do it, coming from a small town in South India, anyone can.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home > Feature Articles / October 19th, 2025

Kodagu skier set for World C’ships

February 17, 2023Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World OpinionBhavani TN, Bhavani TN - First International Certified Alpine Skiier, Bhavani TN - Skier, Female Sportsperson of Kodagu, Kodava Skier, Thekkada Bhavani Nanjunda, Thekkada Nanjunda Shambuadmin

Bengaluru:

Bhavani TN is like a tourist at her native Kodagu, spending a maximum of ten days in a year. Her last visit was in September. The skier spends more time at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir and Leh in Ladakh to train in snowy conditions. She has also travelled to Norway and Italy to improve her skills at her own expense in the last two years.

Each foreign training stint costs around Rs 12-15 lakh for approximately 45 days, which includes hiring a coach there, flight tickets, lodging expenses and use of facilities among others. Her parents, coffee planters, bear almost 80 percent of her expenses.

Poor facilities

“The winter sports facilities and the infrastructure in India is not enough — though developing — for us to compete against the Europeans, that is why I go abroad and train. It is expensive. We have one of the biggest mountain ranges with good snowy conditions in the Himalayas. If India has good facilities, it will be great for winter sports,” Bhavani, 27, who began practising the sport seriously around five years ago, told TOI. “Good facilities in the country can be beneficial because of the altitude, which helps in increasing stamina.”

Despite the odds, Bhavani’s dedication has borne fruit with the Kodagu girl set to compete in the 5km cross-country distance freestyle event at the Nordic Ski World Championships in Slovenia from February 21.

Qualifying for the big event did not happen overnight for Bhavani, who gave up her ski instructor’s role at the Jawaharlal Institute of Mountaineering in Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 to pursue bigger dreams.

She won gold and bronze at the Khelo India Winter Games in 2021. She also collected gold and two silver medals in the National Cross Country Skiing Championships in 2022. She featured in the recent Khelo India Winter Games, winning a gold, silver and bronze, facing some tough conditions which helped her prepare for the Worlds bash.

Earlier, she caught the attention of all last December when she clinched a silver (5km skiing) at the Raiffeisen Langlauf Cup in Italy.

Setting bigger goals

Bhavani is buoyant and has set bigger goals for Slovenia. “The World Championships is as big as the Winter Olympics. I know it is going to be tough. As of now, I am looking for a top-ten finish (5km event). If I manage to do that, I will be eligible to compete in one more event — in the 10km,” said the skier, who will leave for Slovenia on February 19.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home News> City News> Bengaluru News / by Ashim Sunam / February 17th, 2023