Abhijith Amal Raj from Kerala Shines at Khelo India Winter Games 2026

In the serene landscapes of Leh, Ladakh, a significant event unfolded at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026. This was the first time figure skating joined the lineup, bringing a wave of excitement and much-needed recognition to a sport that had long awaited a national stage. Leading the charge was Abhijith Amal Raj from Kerala. He brought home a gold medal in the men’s advanced category of figure skating, marking a remarkable personal achievement.

Abhijith is not just any skater; he is one of India’s top artistic figure skaters. His impressive track record includes being a world champion in artistic roller skating. In 2019, he clinched gold at the World Roller Skating Championship and added more medals in the Asian Roller Skating Championships in 2023 and 2025. Additionally, he won the World Skate Oceania and Pacific Cup in 2023. Yet, his appearance at the Khelo India Winter Games in 2026 held a unique significance – it signified his return to ice skating after years of focus on roller skating.

His journey into skating began at a tender age. Abhijith started wearing skates even before he could properly talk, beginning formal training when he was just three years old. However, growing up in coastal Kerala, the resources for ice skating were not easy to come by. The costs involved in equipment, coaching, and training became a huge hurdle. Yet, his father believed deeply in Abhijith’s potential and made significant financial sacrifices to support his son’s dreams.

By the time he turned nine, Abhijith was under the guidance of Anup Kumar Yama, an Arjuna awardee, and later received advanced training from the renowned Luca d’Alisera, an 11-time Artistic Roller Skating World Champion. This coaching was not without a staggering cost. The training fees alone were about 100 Euros an hour for four hours daily, which led to family expenses running into lakhs for just a month. In their determination, Abhijith’s family even sold property and moved into rented accommodation to fund his aspirations. While government support eventually came, much of Abhijith’s early career was built on years of struggle and dedication.

Before his rise in roller skating, Abhijith had already made a name for himself in ice figure skating. In 2014, he claimed gold medals at prestigious events like the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy in Taiwan, the Dubai Golden Cup, and the Malaysian Open National Championship. He won national titles in 2013 and 2014, and for a brief period in 2016, he excelled in international competitions before shifting his focus entirely to roller skating. The gold medal at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was his triumphant return to ice skating after almost a decade.

Abhijith’s journey represents the challenges faced by athletes in niche sports like figure skating in India. Progressing in such sports often required going abroad for proper facilities and coaching; an option that many families could not afford. However, at just 24 years old, Abhijith is determined to change this narrative.

Together with his figure skating partner, Vacasya Lakshmi Narayanan—an accomplished gold medalist at the 2025 Asian Roller Skating Championship—Abhijith co-founded Adler Vision. This academy aims to nurture future athletes in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In just two years, they have enrolled over 100 students, inviting international coaches like Luca d’Alisera and Rachele Campagnol to provide excellent coaching opportunities without having to travel abroad. The academy begins with roller skating and transitions athletes into figure skating based on their interest and abilities.

“Our skaters have already participated in multiple national and state-level roller skating competitions,” Abhijith shared. “With platforms like Khelo India, we also plan to send select skaters to upcoming ice skating championships.” His dedication is evident, especially since he joined the Income Tax department of Maharashtra under the sports quota in 2024.

For Abhijith Amal Raj, Khelo India represents more than just winning medals. He considers it a prestigious championship with a mission to inspire young athletes at his academy. His goal is to show them the possibilities of competing on a national level. This year’s Khelo India Winter Games was just the beginning, featuring 23 skaters from eight different states in a country like India, where winter sports are still developing.

With Abhijith leading the way, the future looks bright for figure skating in India, promising new opportunities for aspiring skaters.

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Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/figure-skating-keralas-abhijith-amal-raj-wins-gold-at-khelo-india-winter-games-1932458