Himachal Pradesh Cyclists Shine at National MTB Championship with Eight Medals

Himachal Pradesh's cyclists made a remarkable impact at the 23rd National Mountain Bike Championship in Odisha, securing eight medals, with Shimla riders leading the charge. Ashish Sherpa and Anirudh were standout performers, contributing significantly to the medal tally. Despite the team's overall success, the absence of female competitors limited their potential. Sherpa highlighted the need for government support to enhance training and resources for future competitions. Discover more about their achievements and aspirations in this exciting recap of the championship.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 9, 2026, 00:24 IST

Outstanding Performance by Himachal Riders

Riders from Himachal Pradesh returned triumphantly from the 23rd National Mountain Bike (MTB) Championship held in Mahendragiri, Odisha, securing an impressive total of eight medals. Notably, five of these medals were won by athletes from Shimla.

In the men’s elite division, Ashish Sherpa from Shimla showcased exceptional endurance and technical prowess, earning two silver medals along with a bronze. Another Shimla competitor, Anirudh, also excelled in the men’s junior category, clinching two medals in both the Cross-Country Olympics and Cross-Country Time Trial events.

Ashish Sherpa

Other notable medallists from Himachal included Om Sharma, who secured two silver medals, and Anurag Thakur, who added another medal to the tally. Additionally, several other riders from Himachal finished within the top 10 among a competitive field of 50-60 participants.

Rohit Sharma, secretary of the Himcycling Association, remarked, “This is the best medal performance for Himachal at a national championship.”

The Himachal team ranked 10th overall out of 30 competing states and teams, including those from the Army, ITBP, and Air Force.

Sharma noted, “We were unable to compete in the women’s category due to a lack of skilled female riders, which affected our overall medal count despite our strong performance in the men’s events.”

Sherpa expressed pride in both his and the team's achievements, emphasizing that riders from high-altitude regions could attain even greater success with adequate government support and a structured coaching system.

He shared, “I created a training trail in the forest eight years ago. Our bicycles are quite costly, ranging from Rs 7-8 lakh, and there are travel expenses as well. With some assistance, we could significantly improve our performance.”