India won its first ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships on Monday night in Beidaihe, China. Anandkumar Velkumar achieved the historic feat for his country in the senior men’s 1,000m sprint.
The 22-year-old completed his run for gold in 1:24.924, marking a landmark in India’s sporting history. .
Velkumar’s breakthrough performance came just days earning a bronze medal in the 500m sprint- winning India’s first-ever medal at the Speed Skating World Championships.
Steady Rise of Velkumar
Velkumar had already shown potential when in 2021, he won a silver at the Junior World Championships in the 15km elimination event. Two years later, he contributed to India’s bronze medal in the 3,000m team relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
- 2025 World Games (Chengdu): Bronze in 1,000m sprint
- 2023 Asian Games (Hangzhou): Bronze in 3,000m relay
- 2021 Junior World Championships: Silver in 15km elimination
Adding to milestones, India also struck gold in the junior category, with Krish Sharma winning the 1,000m sprint.
Who is Anandkumar Velkumar?
Velkumar hails from Tamil Nadu and is a student of computer science at the College of Engineering, Guindy. His elder sister Subi Suvetha Velkumar is also an Indian skater.
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A Breakthrough for Indian Skating
Velkumar’s world title not only highlights his personal growth but also signals India’s emergence on the global roller sports stage. With consistent performances and now a world championship gold, he is leading a new era for Indian speed skating.
“Proud of Anandkumar Velkumar for winning the Gold at the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint in the Speed Skating World Championships 2025. His grit, speed and spirit have made him India’s first World Champion in skating. His accomplishment will inspire countless youngsters. Congratulations to him and best wishes for all future endeavours,” PM Modi said on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating Velkumar for his achievement.
The Speed Skating World Championships started in Beidaihe on September 13 and will continue until September 21.
