Arif Mohd KHAN

Historical Results

Golf, mountain biking, hiking, travel. (Athlete Instagram)

Athlete

Attends a ski academy in Austria. (bbc.com, 1 Dec 2021)

Father, Yaseen Khan.

English

Jammu and Kashmir Winter Games Association

Father Yaseen Khan (Alpine skiing): Has been a skier since 1980 and also worked as a ski guide. (bbc.com, 1 Dec 2021)

2006 FIS event in Yomase (Giant slalom - 23rd)

His father, who was a skier and a ski guide, introduced him to the sport at a young age. He began competing and by the age of 12 was doing well in junior national competitions.

He grew up in Kashmir, in northern India, along the southern border of the Himalayas. While the country has remarkable mountains, organised ski competition is just gaining structure. Ski and Snowboard India was recognised as a full member of the International Ski Federation in 2020. (bbc.com, 1 Dec 2021; discoverkullumanali.in, 29 Jul 2020)

Started winning national races in 2005. "By 2008, I was skiing faster than other Indian athletes and that's when I decided I could think of going for the Olympics." (bbc.com, 1 Dec 2021)

Scoring four top-11 indoor slalom finishes at a series of entry league FIS races at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, qualifying to represent India at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. "It's exciting to be the first Indian to have qualified for the Beijing Games. It's a big boost for winter sports in the country and for the youth in Kashmir. I remember the last time how difficult it was chasing the 2018 qualification when there was hardly any support for training and racing events." (bbc.com, 1 Dec 2021)

Award of Honor (24 December 2016) from the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir for his all-time achievements in Alpine skiing. (YouTube.com, 21 Nov 2021)

Selected as the Opening Ceremony flagbearer for India at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.