Indian skater Anandkumar Velkumar scripted history as the first from India to win gold at the Speed Skating World Championships in China. The 22-year-old from Tamil Nadu also won bronze in the 500m, a landmark feat praised by PM Modi.
Indian skater Anandkumar Velkumar grabbed the national headlines when he scripted history at the Speed Skating World Championships in Beidaihe, China, on Tuesday, September 16. Anandkumar became the first-ever Indian speed skater to clinch the gold medal at the World Championships, etching his name in history as a trailblazer for Indian skating.
The 22-year-old scripted history by topping the senior men’s 1000-metre sprint with a timing of 1:24.924, securing India’s first-ever gold on the global speed skating stage. Before clinching the historic gold, Anandkumar Velkumar became the first Indian speed skater to win a World Championships medal, securing bronze in the 500-metre event, with a timing of 43.072 seconds.
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Anandkumar Velkumar’s historic gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships marks a landmark achievement for Indian sports and a breakthrough moment for the country in winter and roller sports.
Who is Anandkumar Velkumar?
Anandkumar Velkumar has attracted the attention of the Indian sports fraternity and community, becoming a symbol of India’s rising presence in international speed skating. The 22-year-old skater hails from Tamil Nadu and is currently studying a Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the College of Engineering, Guindy.
Velkumar has witnessed a meteoric rise in the World Skating over the last few years. His first breakthrough moment on the world stage came when he clinched a silver medal in the 15km elimination at the Junior World Championships in 2021. This was India’s first-ever medal at any level of the World Championships.
Two years later, at the 2023 Asian Games, Anandkumar Velkumar won the bronze medal in the Men’s 300m relay, alongside Siddhant Kamble and Vikram Ingale, further paving the way for his rise in the skating world.
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Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu skater etched his name in history at the World Games in Chengdu, winning the Bronze medal in the 1000-metre sprint, becoming the first-ever Indian speed skater to win a medal at the Games. Anandkumar Velkumar further scripted history at the Speed Skating World Championships with a historic gold medal, solidifying his status as India’s trailblazer in international speed skating.
With a historic double-medal at the Speed Skating World Championships, Anandkumar Velkumar has firmly placed India on the global speed skating map.
PM Modi lauds Anandkumar for scripting history
Anandkumar Velkumar’s historic achievement at the Speed Skating World Championships did not go unnoticed as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Tamil Nadu speed skater for his outstanding performance.
Taking to his official X handle (formerly Twitter), PM Modi lauded Anandkumar’s grit and spirit to script history at the World Championships, adding that his achievements will inspire countless youngsters in the sport.
“Proud of Anandkumar Velkumar for winning the gold medal 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 wrote on X.
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Anandkumar Velkumar’s historic achievement at the Speed Skating World Championships marks a defining moment for Indian sports and establishes him as the nation’s first global skating champion.