Meghalaya’s Anissa Lamare Becomes India’s First Female Downhill Mountain Biker

In the serene hills of Shillong, Meghalaya, 28-year-old Anissa Lamare is breaking barriers as India’s first female downhill mountain bicyclist. Beginning her journey in December 2015, she ventured into a male-dominated sport with little infrastructure or recognition for women. A former literature student, Lamare’s determination and resilience have allowed her to master the technical and physical demands of downhill mountain biking—racing down steep, rugged trails at high speeds—despite limited coaching and training facilities.

Lamare’s breakthrough came on the international stage in October 2023, when she finished ninth in the Elite Downhill category at the Asian Continental Mountain Bike Championships in Kerala. She followed this with a silver medal at Nepal’s Pokhara Enduro Race and represented teams in Sri Lanka and Oman, steadily building her reputation globally. Alongside her sporting achievements, she is an entrepreneur, running Pedal Compass, a mountain bike shop in Shillong that promotes local cycling culture and supports her athletic ambitions.

Beyond competition, Lamare is focused on growing mountain biking in Meghalaya by developing dedicated trails and encouraging young girls to take up the sport. Her inspiring journey has been featured in national campaigns and documentaries highlighting women breaking gender norms in adventure sports. With limited financial support, she continues to push boundaries, aiming to make Meghalaya a key destination for mountain biking and to mentor future generations of riders.

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