International riders dazzle as Gulmarg leg of Zabarvan Legends Series concludes
Gulmarg, Oct 12: The Draksheen Var, Gulmarg leg of the Zabarvan Legends Series, concluded with grandeur and excitement, setting a new benchmark for adventure sports in Jammu and Kashmir. The event, which drew national and international attention, was inaugurated by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Satish Sharma, and witnessed participation from some of the world’s top mountain bikers.
The competition featured a 2.5-kilometre timed downhill race from Phase 1 to the Gondola base, with riders navigating through steep slopes, dense forest trails, and rugged terrain. A total of 23 athletes, including nine international participants, showcased their endurance and agility during the high-adrenaline event. Among them, Yawar Ali from Jammu and Kashmir drew particular praise for his perseverance, competing despite a recent collarbone injury. The opening runs saw a few minor falls, but as the race progressed, the excitement and intensity built up, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The event was broadcast live on the official Zabarvan YouTube channel, allowing audiences worldwide to experience the thrill of Gulmarg’s first-ever international mountain biking race. The final moments of the competition were met with resounding applause as the top riders crossed the finish line with impressive timings.
At the closing ceremony, medals and certificates were awarded to the top five performers, while the first three winners received cash prizes of ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh, and ₹1 lakh respectively. The awards were presented by Shri Satish Sharma, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Shri Tariq Hassan Naik, CEO of the Gulmarg Development Authority. The overall winners were announced as Douglas Novack Vieira from Brazil, who clocked 3.29 minutes, followed by Matej Charvat from the Czech Republic with 3.31 minutes, and Taiwan’s Dan Chiang with 3.44 minutes. Samuel Hill from Australia and Hossein Zanjanian from Iran finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The celebrations continued into the evening with a cultural programme that began with a welcome address by Mr. Sehan Shetty, Founder and Owner of Zabarvan. Both the Sports Minister and the CEO of the GDA applauded the efforts of the organizers, athletes, and volunteers, stressing the importance of such events in promoting adventure tourism and youth engagement in Kashmir. Volunteers and officials were felicitated by Zabarvan and Span Foundation, the main sponsor of the event, while supporting sponsors including Indigo, Kirloskar Ferrous, NAC, and Spokehub were acknowledged for their contributions. [KNT]
