Alpine skier Aanchal Thakur has bagged second medal for India in international skiing event held at European country Montenegro on Thursday. She is the only winter sports athlete from India to have achieved this feat.
Aanchal, who is struggling to qualify for Winter Olympics 2022, had two races on Thursday at Kolasin ski resorts during International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski Jamaican Championship.
She bagged bronze medal in the first race in women alpine skiing category. She told over a phone call that she was expecting even better performance in the second race. The medal ceremony will be held in the late evening (Montenegro time).
Aanchal Thakur will compete in four more races at Kolasin, Montenegro, from December 27 to 30. The young athlete is hoping for gold or silver in the remaining races.
“The season started very late for me and my brother Himanshu this year due to many reasons. We could not participate in some of the FIS events to earn the required FIS points to qualify for the Olympics. Earlier we trained in Austria and then in Sweden. From Sweden, we headed to Montenegro for this event. My first race today was satisfactory and I could finish at third place. I’ve a few more races in my hand. Now I’m eying gold or silver,” Aanchal said.
Arif Khan, who has already qualified for Olympics, is also participating in the competitions. Since only one male and one female from each country were allowed to participate in the event, Aanchal’s brother Himanshu could not compete in the official races.
Aanchal’s father Roshan Thakur said Aanchal has made him and entire nation feel proud.
“She is performing well despite limited resources and weak winter sports infrastructure in the country. The season for both Aanchal and Himanshu started very late this year. Now they will move to Iran to participate in another event in January. However, a lot of calculation is needed after the Montenegro tournament is over. If Aanchal earns good points, she can think about Iran. Otherwise, I will advise her to drop Iran and concentrate on training,” he said.
Aanchal had won first ever medal for India in international winter sports event in January 2018. She had bagged bronze medal in Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup in Turkey. PM Narendra Modi and all top politicians and celebrities had congratulated Aanchal on her achievement.
Only three athletes from India – Arif Kha, Aanchal Thakur and Himanshu Thakur are trying for Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. While Arif has already qualified, Himanshu may have to lose hope as FIS has the provision of quota for one male and one female alpine skier from India. As there is still hope for Aanchal, she will have to perform even better to earn the required FIS point for qualification.
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