Ladakh won the first-ever Khelo India gold in the women’s short track 1600m relay at the NDS sports complex in Leh on February 5.  Ladakh Men’s ice-hockey team went down 4-0 against a powerful ITBP in a semi-final match.
 
Maharashtra added two more skating gold to take their total tally to three but Karnataka continue to lead the standings with four. Maharashtra’s gold medals on February 5 came in the men’s short track (1600m) relay and the mixed short track relay over the same distance. Ladakh won the silver in the mixed-team race.
 
Maharashtra’s domination in the relays was never in question because their skaters have more silver and bronze medals (13) out of a possible 22. Eleven skating gold medals have been decided in the Games so far.
 
Ladakh’s historic gold in women’s short track came like a breath of fresh air on another cold day. The Ladakh quartet of Skarma Tsultim, Insha Fatima, Tasnia Shamim, Padma Angmo responded beautifully clocking 3:55.80 to relegate Maharashtra (4:17.12) to the second place by a decent margin.
 
Mohammad Abbas Nordak, the coach of the Ice Skating Association of Ladakh, said: “My team trained hard in the last one year. The gold was unexpected because the girls were up against a team that was more experienced and had seasoned skaters who have trained abroad, my happiness knows no bounds.” Abbas also added that a short track relay has been conducted for the first time in Ladakh.
 
The centre of attraction on February 5 was the men’s ice hockey semifinal between Ladakh and ITBP.  ITBP was the better side with Tsering Angdus, popularly known as Baku, scoring a hattrick for his team. Baku was well assisted by Stanzin Mingure and Mohammed Ismail, who also put his name on the scoresheet.
 
The win was sweet revenge for ITBP who had lost to Ladakh in the nationals at Kaza recently. Ladakh could have lost by a bigger margin but their teenage goalie Tsewang Namgail defended very well with timely saves.
 
The second semifinal between favorites Army and Himachal Pradesh was a rather one-sided affair. Army won 10-2. Konchok Namgail (three) and Rigzin Norboo (two) were the main scorers for the winners. The Army men dominated throughout the game and the early goals completely deflated the Himachal team. Army was methodical and much in control with better strategy and overall territorial supremacy.
 
In the day’s only round-robin women’s league match, Himachal Pradesh beat Telangana 4-1 with Tanzin Saldon scoring a hattrick.
 
SKATING RESULTS AT A GLANCE
 
Women’s short track 1600m relay final:
1. Skarma Tsultim, Insha Fatima, Tasnia Shamim, Padma Angmo (3:55.80) - Ladakh
2. Swaralli Deo, Janvi Chordia, Swarupa, Abhisri Jagtap (4:17.12) - Maharashtra
3. Stuti Dhandhania, Raina, Ruhi Sharma, Riddhi Patel (4:18. 98) – Haryana
 
Men’s short track (1600m relay final:
1. Suyog Tapkir, Sumit Tapkir, Aarav Patwardhan, Advay Kothari (3:14.78) – Maharashtra 
2. Noyal Cherian, Sujal Sahu, Yogesh Sharma, Harsh Kasaundhan (3:56.52) – Madhya Pradesh
3. Sanyam Goyal, Shubhang Munjal, Rohit, Hriday Arora (4:13.48) Haryana
 
Mix short track (1600m) relay final:
1.     Suyog Tapkir, Aarav Patwardhan, Janvi Chordia, Swarupa Deshmukh (3:26.15 seconds) -  Maharashtra
2.     Mohammed Saquaf Raza, Skarma Tsultim, Stanzin Jampal, Tasniya Shamim (3: 41.56) – Ladakh
3.     Noyal Cherian, Yogesh Sharma, Udreka Singh, Avantika Singh (4:11.95 sec) Madhya Pradesh
 
ICE HOCKEY RESULTS AT A GLANCE
 
Men’s semifinal 1: ITBP beat UT Ladakh 4-0
Men’s semifinal 2: Army beat Himachal Pradesh xx
 
Women’s round-robin league: Himachal Pradesh beat Telangana 4-1.