Bhubaneswar : Anandkumar Velkumar has created history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships held in Beidaihe, China. The 22-year-old clinched the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint title with a blazing time of 1:24.924, outpacing fierce competitors including Italy’s Duccio Marsili, who settled for silver with a time of 1:25.145, and Paraguay’s Julio Mirena Ortiz, who took bronze clocking 1:25.466.
Velkumar had already made headlines the previous day by winning a bronze medal in the 500m Sprint event, clocking 43.072 seconds, marking another historic first medal for India at the senior world championships. His double podium finish highlights his rising dominance on the world roller sports stage.
The championships also witnessed a remarkable performance from India’s junior skater Krish Sharma, who secured gold in the Junior Men’s 1000m Sprint, signaling a bright future for Indian skating.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Velkumar’s historic achievement on social media, tweeting:
“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.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also hailed the win as a “glorious moment for Indian sports” and congratulated the young athlete.
This milestone victory is expected to boost the visibility and growth of speed skating in India, inspiring a new generation of athletes to excel on the global stage.
Discussion about this post