NIRMAL MANGAR
Hailing from Namchi, Joel Chettri, son of Samel Chettri and Sangita Chettri, is steadily carving his name in the world of downhill mountain biking. With passion in his heart and determination in his spirit, Joel is not just riding trails — he is riding towards a dream of representing Sikkim and promoting adventure tourism in the state.
Early Beginnings
Joel’s journey into mountain biking began in his early teenage years. Growing up in the hills of Sikkim, cycling was part of everyday life. However, what started as a routine activity soon turned into a passion when he began exploring rough terrains and mountain trails. The thrill of riding through challenging paths sparked his deep interest in mountain biking (MTB).
Inspired to Represent Sikkim
From the very beginning, Joel’s goal was clear — to represent his state with pride. Watching competitive races and interacting with experienced riders motivated him to take MTB seriously as a sport. The adrenaline rush of downhill trails and the desire to test his limits pushed him to train harder and dream bigger.
Nature: His Training Ground
Sikkim’s natural landscape played a crucial role in shaping Joel as a rider. The hilly terrain, dense forest trails, and steep climbs became his training ground. These challenging routes helped him build endurance, sharpen technical skills, and develop a strong connection with the sport. For Joel, the mountains are not just landscapes — they are his classroom.
Family: His Greatest Strength
Behind every successful athlete is a strong support system, and for Joel, it is his family. Despite limited facilities and resources, their constant encouragement has been his biggest motivation. Their belief in him continues to push him forward every single day.
Achievements and Milestones
Joel has participated in numerous competitions across the region. Among his major achievements:
• Secured 1st position at the Assam Downhill Championship
• Secured 2nd position at the Manipur Downhill Championship
• Represented Sikkim and brought home gold medals with pride
• Won 5 Gold, 4 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals at the state level
• Selected for Red Bull Telang Ruam 2025, competing among Asia’s top athletes
One of his proudest moments remains representing Sikkim and bringing glory to his state.
Challenges Along the Way
Despite his success, Joel’s journey has not been easy. As an MTB rider from Sikkim, he faces significant challenges, including the lack of financial assistance, sponsorships, and backup support. Limited infrastructure and facilities often make it difficult to compete at higher levels.
Yet, he continues to push forward, fueled by passion and perseverance.
More Than a Sport
For Joel, mountain biking is not just a sport — it is his second home. It gives him purpose, discipline, and identity. He strongly believes that Sikkim has immense potential to become a hub for mountain biking due to its natural terrain, scenic trails, and the growing interest among youth.
He also sees MTB as a powerful way to promote tourism in Sikkim and hopes to hype and develop cycling culture in and around the state.
A Call for Support
Joel humbly appeals to the government and private sectors for sponsorships and structured support. With proper backing, he believes Sikkim can produce many more national and international-level riders.
Message to Aspiring Riders
To young and aspiring mountain bikers in Sikkim and across India, Joel shares a simple yet powerful message:
“Believe in yourself and never give up.”
His advice to young riders is to start early, stay consistent, and remain dedicated to what they are passionate about.
