This 21-year-old Manali resident Anachal Thakur created history on Tuesday when she won India’s first ever medal in skiing. The Himachal Pradesh girl won the bronze in the coveted Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup organized by the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS), skiing’s international governing body at the Palandoken Ski Centre in Erzurum in Turkey.Aanchal credit her win to months of her hard work.
Finally something unexpected happened. My first ever international medal.? Federation International Ski Race (FIS). At the end turkey served me well ??.
PC- @alwyncreed #strangethingshappen #skiteamindia #onehimachal #himalayangirls pic.twitter.com/pjkSddCpi5— Aanchal Thakur (@alleaanchal) January 9, 2018
Her Father Roshan Thakur who is also the secretary-general of the Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) hopes that it will be a breakthrough in Indian sports.
Congrats Aanchal Thakur @alleaanchal for the Slalom Skiing Bronze in the FIS International Skiing Competition in Turkey.
India opens account by a first ever medal in skiing ?
Well done! @jairamthakurbjp pic.twitter.com/vhTReuJwyl
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 10, 2018
1. Since skiing is not a very popular sport in India, it is tough to find the sponsors. Aanchal’s journey has either been financed by her father or FIS. However, her father told TOI that there has been no monetary support from the Centre.
2. Aanchal hails from Burma, a small village in Manali. She learned the ropes from her father. Later, Heera Lal, a former Olympian, honed her skills.
https://www.eastcoastdaily.in/2017/12/21/rajya-sabha-member-sachin-tendulkars-first-speech-for-sports-development-disrupted/
3. She has previously represented India at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics that took place in Innsbruck and also took part in the Alpine skiing – Girl’s Slalom and Girl’s Giant Slalom events.
4. Sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore took to Twitter to congratulate Aanchal: “Congrats Aanchal Thakur for the Slalom Skiing Bronze in the FIS International Skiing Competition in Turkey. India opens an account by a first-ever medal in skiing. Well done!”
5. Aanchal’s father hopes to see her daughter and son represent the country at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He hopes that this win would be enough for Aanchal to get financial support from the Centre.
Prime Minister also congratulated her on the success.
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