Chencho Dorji (skier)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Chencho Dorji Wowkonowicz |
| National team | France (until 2025) Bhutan (since 2025) |
| Born | 21 February 1998 |
| Occupation | Alpine skier ♂ |
| Sport | |
| Skiing career | |
| Disciplines | Slalom |
| Club | Laïque Lyonnais |
Chencho Dorji Wowkonowicz is a Bhutanese alpine skier who was the first athlete to represent Bhutan at the Asian Winter Games.
Early years
Chencho Dorji was born on 21 February 1998 in Thimphu, Bhutan but was adopted by French mountain guide Snafu Wowkonowicz at age two and moved to France.[1][2] He alternated living in Chamonix and Paris. Wowkonowicz taught him alpine skiing.[3] He studied at the University of Lyon.[4]
Career
At 18 years old, Dorji enrolled at the National Ski Diploma.[3] He joined the Union nationale des centres sportifs de plein air. After watching the 2022 Winter Olympics, he decided to pursue a goal to qualify for the next Olympics competitor as an athlete for Bhutan.[5]
Dorji became the very first athlete to represent Bhutan at the Winter Asian Games at the 2025 edition in Harbin, China.[2]
Due to issues with his FIS license, Dorji's results was not included in the official report.[6] He nevertheless took part at the men's slalom event, and his time would have placed 23rd.[7][8]
References
- ^ "Chencho WOWKONOWICZ - Athlete Biography". International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Feature: Bhutan's Asian Winter Games debutant Dorji ready to bring home glory". Xinhua. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ a b "An Interview with Chencho Dorji on Representing Bhutan at the Asian Winter Games". Bhutan Olympic Committee. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ Zam, Tshering (31 January 2025). "Bhutan to compete in ninth Asian Winter Games". BBSCL. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ Stamos, Cléo (22 December 2024). "Haute-Savoie. Ce Chamoniard veut skier sous les couleurs du Bhoutan aux JO de 2026". Le Dauphiné Libéré (in French). Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "OCA EB meets in Harbin on eve of AWG opening ceremony". www.oca.asia/. Olympic Council of Asia. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Namgay, Thinley (11 February 2025). "Bhutanese skier makes remarkable debut at Asian Winter Games". Kuensel. Thimphu, Bhutan: Kuensel Corporation. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Ngawang Yoezer Thaye (15 February 2025). "Bhutan's first alpine skier eyes Winter Olympics 2026 after remarkable Asian Winter Games debut". The Bhutanese. Retrieved 9 February 2026.