Bhavani Thekkada

~• Indian cross country & Biathlon Skier ~• Mountaineer.

[The Better India @thebetterindia]

In 2013, a teenager from Kodagu sat captivated by the snow-capped mountains in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

That moment ignited a dream.

Ten years later, TN Bhavani stood on the podium in Corralco, Chile, becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at a FIS-accredited cross-country skiing event.

What started as a mountaineering passion led her to quit her job as an instructor and pursue skiing full-time.

The journey was far from easy.

From harsh, freezing slopes to limited infrastructure, funding struggles, and visa hurdles, every day tested her endurance, strength, and focus.

Yet, she raced against Olympians, concentrating not on the medal but on staying close to them.

Her bronze isn’t just a personal triumph, it’s a beacon for every dreamer.

Bhavani grew up on a coffee farm in Kodagu, her father tending to it, her mother managing the home.

“They’ve never even seen snow in their lives,” she told The Bridge.

“And yet, they’ve been my biggest supporters.”

If she can chase snow from the coffee farms of Kodagu despite every obstacle, imagine what the youth can achieve with early exposure and opportunity!

@bhavanithekkada

#WomenInSports #IndianAthletes #BreakingBarriers #ChasingDreams #WinterSports

[Indian Women Athletes, Sports Stories, Women Empowerment India, Winter Sports]

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

What began with a movie scene led me across continents, from Coorg to the Andes mountains of Chile 🇮🇳➡️🇨🇱. Forever grateful for this journey and the chance to win medals for my country. Thank you @the_bridge_in for telling my story ✨💛

[The Bridge @the_bridge_in]

#Exclusive From watching Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani in Kodagu to conquering the Andes 🌄—TN Bhavani just became the first Indian woman to medal in a FIS cross-country skiing event 🇮🇳

Read her incredible journey 👇

✍️ @_Aswathy_S

#CrossCountrySkiing

https://t.co/DpboFsxGe8

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

I also truly hope that our government and companies will come forward with more support for winter sports athletes, so that together we can put India on the global skiing map. 🙌💙

#IndiaOnSnow #SkiingForIndia #CrossCountrySkiing #DreamBig

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

What an amazing feeling to stand on the podium with two international medals for India in cross-country skiing.

This is not just a personal win, but a step forward for Indian winter sports. I hope this inspires the next generation of athletes from our country to dream bigger.

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Thank you so much.
I hope at least now the government starts noticing a d supporting the winter sports athletes.
@PMOIndia @narendramodi @IndiaSports @mansukhmandviya @anandmahindra @RFYouthSports @HMOIndia @IndiaToday

[The Khel India @TheKhelIndia]

TN BHAVANI WINS HISTORIC FIS MEDAL 🤩

She won a bronze medal in the discipline distance 5km at the FIS cross country skiing competition - Chile, with a timing of 21.04.

First Ever International FIS medal for India in the Women’s category in Cross-Country Skiing.

INCREDIBLE! 🙌

[The Khel India @TheKhelIndia]

TN BHAVANI WINS HISTORIC FIS MEDAL 🤩

She won a bronze medal in the discipline distance 5km at the FIS cross country skiing competition - Chile, with a timing of 21.04.

First Ever International FIS medal for India in the Women’s category in Cross-Country Skiing.

INCREDIBLE! 🙌

[SPORTS ARENA🇮🇳 @SportsArena1234]

❄️❄️❄️

💫 BHAVANI SCRIPTS HISTORY⚡

Bhavani becomes 1️⃣st ever Indian women to win "FIS" Medal in Cross-Country Skiing 🇮🇳

She won Bronze🥉in Women's 5km Interval Start Free at Corralco, Chile with 21:04:09 timing

She was also the 1st Indian woman to win any international medal in Cross-Country skiing (in 2023)

❄️❄️❄️

[Tejasvi Surya @Tejasvi_Surya]

Congratulating Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda for her two bronze medals in Winter Sports at the South America Cross-Country Skiing FIS Competition held in Corralco, Chile.

Bhavani secured the bronze medals in the 5 km Distance Race and the 1.3 km Sprint Race. The Coorg-native became the first Indian woman ever to win an international medal in cross-country skiing at a FIS event.

Her feats make her an inspiration for the young generation. Wishing her the best for the future.

@bhavanithekkada

[The Bridge @the_bridge_in]

#News | 2 days, 2 medals for TN Bhavani🇮🇳🔥

She backs up her 5km Interval Start Free bronze medal with a bronze medal in 1.3km Freestyle Sprint🥉👏

Bhavani is the first Indian woman to win medals at FIS cross country skiing events😍

📸: @bhavanithekkada

#Skiing

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

This achievement marks a historic first for India – I am the first Indian woman ever to win an international medal in cross-country skiing at a FIS race.

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Historic First for India in Winter Sports ❄🇮🇳

On 14–15 Sep 2025, at the South America Cross-Country Skiing FIS Competition in Chile, I won two Bronze Medals – 🥉 in the 5 km Distance Race and 🥉 in the 1.3 km Sprint Race.

#bhavanithekkada
#weareteamindia
#crosscountryskiing

[anand mahindra @anandmahindra]

India announces the 4 Indian astronauts for the #Gaganyaan mission to space.

I grew up seeing photos of only American astronauts & Russian Cosmonauts.

They were inspiring but I used to wistfully imagine & wonder if & when I would ever see fellow Indians in those adventurous space suits—on their way into Indian Spacecrafts.

That wish now seems to be turning into reality.

And I hope it will stoke the imagination and the aspiration of a whole new generation of Indians!

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

🇮🇳

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Special thanks to Indian Army (HAWS Gulmarg) for supporting me with my training and being the biggest supporter in my skiing journey.

I am grateful for the blessings and support of my family, friends and all my well wishers.

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Won 3 Gold Medals in 10km distance, 5km distance and 1.6km Sprint cross country skiing representing Karnataka in 4th Khelo India Winter Games - 2024 held in Gulmarg from 21st - 25th Feb 2024.

Thank you @dyes_karnataka @gethnaa_gok_official for encouraging and supporting me

[Shiva Keshavan, OLY @100thofasec]

Please support our women's Ice Hockey team! They are currently participating in the Asia-Oceania Championships!
Check out their inspiring stories of practicing in Frozen lakes of Laddakh and H.P. 🇮🇳 https://t.co/8Pc0K1kzal
@ianuragthakur @WeAreTeamIndia @PMOIndia @royalenfield

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

@Sahil4546 @kheloindia @dyesdept @PlanicaNordic @Anurag_Office @FISCrossCountry @narayanagowdakc Thank you 🙏

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Captures from my FIRST Nordic world ski championships, Slovenia - 2023.

The colours of blue shine through me, it shines like the smile that holds the struggles and love that brought me thus far. This feeling is magical and it pushes me to fly more.
#India #skiing

[kodavahockey @kodavahockey]

@B_Snoweagle Thank you for your support and wishes!

#AHF2023 #AppachettolandaHockeyFestival #KodavaHockeyFestival #Appachettolanda #Kodagu #TravelDestination #HockeyFestival #FieldHockey #HockeyCommunity #SupportHockey #IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #HockeyKarnataka #HockeyCoorg

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

Nordic world ski championships 2023 - Slovenia.

An absolute honour to represent India in one of the biggest sporting competitions in the world.
#crosscountryskiing

@WeAreTeamIndia @ianuragthakur @PMOIndia @narayanagowdakc @100thofasec

[Bhavani Thekkada @bhavanithekkada]

It truly was an incredible feeling to see our tricolour fly high.
I'll do my best to make our flag fly high and high each time.

#TeamIndia #skiing #athlete

[India in Slovenia @IndiainSlovenia]

No moment is as proud as seeing the Tricolour🇮🇳 fly high alongwjth many at the international level. Of the flags of 50 plus participating countries, one was #India🇮🇳's. Credits to @B_Snoweagle. Proud of #YoungIndia and our sportspersons 👏👍

#KheloIndia @kheloindia @YASMinistry