Anandkumar Velkumar
India’s Anandkumar Wins 1000m Sprint World Title
Beijing: In a groundbreaking moment for Indian sports, 22-year-old speed skater Anandkumar Velkumar clinched India’s first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships, powering to victory in the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint with a blistering time of 1:24.924 seconds. The event, held in Beidaihe, China, marked a historic double for India as Velkumar, from Tamil Nadu, not only became the nation’s first senior world champion in the sport but also added to his earlier bronze in the 500m sprint at the same championships. This triumph, coming just days after his bronze at the World Games in Chengdu, has sparked nationwide celebrations and positioned Velkumar as a trailblazer in a discipline long dominated by European and Asian powerhouses.
The final race unfolded under intense pressure, with Velkumar surging ahead in the sprint event on September 15, showcasing the grit and speed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised on social media. “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,” Modi posted, echoing the sentiments of sports enthusiasts across the country. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also hailed the feat as a “glorious moment for Indian sports,” noting Velkumar’s role in becoming the first-ever Indian World Champion in the discipline.
Velkumar’s journey to this pinnacle has been one of steady breakthroughs. Born on January 19, 2003, and studying computer science at the College of Engineering, Guindy, he first made waves in 2021 by winning silver in the 15km elimination at the Junior World Championships, India’s first medal there. In 2023, he contributed to a bronze in the 3000m team relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou alongside teammates Vikram Rajendra Ingale and Siddhant Rahul Kamble. This year, his bronze at the World Games in Chengdu marked India’s debut medal in roller sports at that multi-sport event. The back-to-back medals at the 2025 Worlds—bronze in the 500m (43.072 seconds) followed by gold in the 1000m—cemented his status as a rising star, with junior teammate Krish Sharma adding another gold in the Junior Men’s 1000m Sprint for a remarkable Indian haul.
The championships, running from September 13 to 21, highlighted India’s growing footprint in speed skating, a sport where the country has historically struggled for recognition. Velkumar’s victories, achieved through relentless training and family support—his elder sister Subi Suvetha Velkumar is also a speed skater—have opened doors for young athletes. As FIDE and World Skate officials applauded the performances, Velkumar’s gold not only boosted national pride but also signalled potential for future successes, including qualification for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
In the closing moments of the event, Velkumar’s tricolour-draped podium appearance drew cheers from fans and officials alike, a symbol of perseverance in a niche yet demanding arena. With this win, India’s speed skating chapter turns a new page, and Velkumar stands as its inspiring author, ready to glide toward even greater horizons.
– global bihari bureau
