Thilothamma: MTB Champ Rides to Glory Without Her Own Downhill Bike

Top Summary

• What happened: S Thilothamma, a national mountain biking champion, excels despite lacking her own downhill bike.
• Why it matters: Her success highlights the challenges faced by athletes with limited resources and inspires aspiring female bikers.
• What changes for people: Showcases the importance of support systems and determination in achieving sporting goals, even with equipment limitations.
• Who is affected: Aspiring female mountain bikers, sports enthusiasts, and individuals inspired by overcoming adversity.

Humble Beginnings, Champion Spirit

Despite winning a gold and a bronze medal at the National Mountain Bike (MTB) Championships, S Thilothamma, 25, doesn't own a downhill mountain bike.

She relies on a borrowed bike and hopes to afford her own, stating,

"I hope to be able to afford my own bike, a good one."

 

Currently, she is freelancing in a bicycle spare parts startup in Coimbatore.

National and Asian Accolades

Thilothamma secured a bronze medal in the downhill category at the 22nd National MTB Championship in Arunachal Pradesh (February 2026).

Following this, she also won a bronze at the Asian MTB Series in Himachal Pradesh.

Downhill mountain biking involves navigating steep, rough terrain with jumps at speeds up to 80 kmph. Thilothamma completed a two-kilometer track in five minutes.

Breaking Barriers for Women in MTB

Thilothamma notes the underrepresentation of women in downhill mountain biking in India, particularly in the South.

 

"In India, especially in the South, there are very few women who are involved in downhill mountain biking,"

she stated, emphasizing her motivation to challenge this.

 

Originally from Katpadi, she pursued her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Coimbatore.

Early Struggles and Determination

She started cycling during her school days but ventured into mountain biking after moving to Coimbatore.

In 2023, she participated in the National selections in Kovaipudur, riding a borrowed cycle. Despite multiple falls and injuries, she qualified for the Nationals held in Chandigarh.

During the 19th National MTB Championship, she finished sixth in cross-country biking. She highlights the disadvantage of using an 18 kg bike compared to competitors with lighter, more advanced bikes costing up to ₹12 lakhs.

The Thrill of Downhill

For the following year's event, she bought a basic mountain bike for ₹50,000 using her employee discount from Decathlon.

In 2025, she first tried downhill mountain biking. She describes the adrenaline rush:

"It was a completely new feeling."

 

During the 21st National MTB Championship in Chandigarh, she won gold. However, a fracture in her radial bone during a private championship in Meghalaya sidelined her for two months.

Asian Series Experience and Future Goals

She returned to the track for the Asian Series, which was held in India for the first time.

She values the experience, stating,

"This was happening in India for the first time, and I learnt a lot from bikers from different countries, especially Indonesians."

 

Her mother, R Vanitha, has been a constant source of support, traveling with her for championships.

Thilothamma aims to inspire more women to take up downhill biking and dreams of winning at the Asian level and a gold at the World Cup.

What to Watch Next

Thilothamma is currently training with her eyes set on winning gold at the upcoming National Championships. Her journey continues as she seeks sponsorship and equipment upgrades to further her ambitions on the international stage.