Anandkumar Velkumar gold at the World Speed Skating Championship is now a reality. The Indian inline speed skater made history by becoming India’s first-ever World Champion in speed skating, following a series of remarkable performances at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 in Beidaihe, China.
Who is Anandkumar Velkumar?
Anandkumar Velkumar, born in January 2003 in Tamil Nadu, is an inline speed skater who has steadily risen in international ranks. Before this gold, his notable achievements included a silver at the 2021 Junior World Championships in the 15 km elimination event. He also helped India win a bronze in the men’s 3000 m relay at the Asian Games.
He is now celebrated not just for medals, but for breaking barriers. Velkumar studies Computer Science and trains under rigorous conditions, showing dedication from grassroots skate rinks to global stages.
Historic Gold in 1000m Sprint
At the World Speed Skating Championship in Beidaihe, Velkumar clinched gold in the Senior Men’s 1000m sprint, with a time of 1:24.924. This win marks India’s first-ever gold medal in speed skating at a World Championship level.
This gold medal caps off a stellar performance: it came just after he earned a bronze in the 500m sprint, also at the same championship, making that his first senior medal at the Worlds.
Bronze Medal in 500m Sprint
Velkumar’s bronze in the 500m sprint was significant—it was India’s first senior-level world championship medal in speed skating. He completed the 500m with a time of 43.072 seconds, proving his ability in short-distance explosive speed as well as endurance.
Krish Sharma’s Junior Gold Win
Adding to India’s historic night, Krish Sharma won gold in the Junior Men’s 1000m sprint event. This was on the same day Velkumar won his senior gold, making it a memorable “double gold” for India at the championships.
Impact on India’s Roller Sports
The achievements of Anandkumar Velkumar and Krish Sharma at the World Speed Skating Championship have huge implications:
- They elevate the visibility of roller sports and inline speed skating in India, which often remain under the radar compared to cricket or athletics.
- Velkumar’s gold gives young skaters in small towns and major cities alike someone to look up to, a role model proving that global success is possible.
- It could lead to better training infrastructure, more funding, and stronger support systems (coaching, equipment, etc.) from sports authorities and corporate sponsors.
- International recognition of Indian speed skating is likely to grow, with hopes to make a mark in future events including potentially in multi-sport platforms or future Olympic-like contests, should speed skating be further promoted.
India’s first gold in speed skating, and the double gold day with Krish Sharma’s junior win, mark a watershed moment. The performance shows that with the right training, grit, and ambition, Indian athletes can break into the top echelons of comparatively less-explored sports. Anandkumar Velkumar gold isn’t just his win—it’s a win for all Indian roller sports.
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Sources: Adda247
