India first speed skating gold won by Anandkumar Velkumar in 1000m sprint at 2025 World Championships marks historic achievement and inspires athletes nationwide.
India’s First Gold at Speed Skating World Championships: Anandkumar Velkumar Makes History
Anandkumar Clinches Gold in 1,000m Sprint
Anandkumar Velkumar, a 22-year-old inline speed skater from Tamil Nadu, scripted history by winning India’s first ever Gold medal at the Senior Men’s 1,000-metre sprint event of the Speed Skating World Championships 2025. With a time of 1:24.924, he outpaced the rest of the elite global field to stand atop the podium
Silver & Bronze Before the Golden Moment
Prior to this golden triumph, Anandkumar had already made waves by grabbing a historic bronze in the Senior Men’s 500-metre sprint in the same championship (Beidaihe, China), marking India’s first senior world championship medal in speed skating. This buildup of performance set the stage for his 1,000m sprint victory.
Junior Gold Alongside Senior Glory
The championship also witnessed a double celebration for India. Krish Sharma, competing in the junior category, won the gold in the 1,000m sprint as well. This showed promise and depth in Indian speed skating, both at the senior and junior levels.
Reactions From the Nation
The achievement has sparked wide praise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express pride in Anandkumar’s grit and speed, calling it a moment that will “inspire countless youngsters.” Similarly, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed Anandkumar for becoming India’s first World Champion in skating
When & Where It Happened
The Speed Skating World Championships 2025 are being held in Beidaihe, China, from September 13 to 21. Anandkumar’s gold was won early in the competition, in the senior men’s 1000m sprint event.
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Why This News Is Important
Significance for Indian Sports Landscape
This is a watershed moment for India’s sporting history. While the country has seen success in a range of sports, speed skating has rarely featured among them at the highest level. Anandkumar’s Gold not only demonstrates the rising competence of Indian athletes in non-traditional, less-publicised sports but also underlines the potential for future growth in roller-sports and speed skating. It is a boost for sports diversification beyond cricket, hockey, athletics, etc.
Inspiration and Role Model Effect
For students aiming for government exams, sports achievements like this often translate into increased opportunities (sports quota, recognition, incentives). Anandkumar’s success can inspire many young aspirants from small towns or with limited infrastructure to believe that international records are within reach. The visibility of such achievements helps in motivating momentum for grassroots training and better policies for athletes.
Policy & International Representation
Gold at a senior world championship puts a spotlight on sports administration, funding, coaching, and support systems. It may influence government decisions regarding better infrastructure, more sponsorships, and prioritized development in speed skating and roller sports. Also, in diplomatic and global sports forums, India’s profile in skating gets enhanced.
Historical Context
Early Days of Roller / Speed Skating in India
Roller sports and inline speed skating have existed in India for years, but usually at a regional or national level with limited international success. The sport has often grappled with lack of infrastructure, funding, and consistent exposure to international standards. Mentors and local clubs have strived, but global success has been elusive.
Previous International Milestones
Anandkumar had prior successes: he was the first Indian to win a medal in any Speed Skating World Championships at the junior level, bagging a silver in the 15 km elimination event in 2021.At the 2023 Asian Games, he was part of the men’s team that won a bronze in the 3,000m relay.
Building Up to 2025
Leading up to 2025, Indian involvement and performance in international roller sports and speed skating had been gradually improving. There was an earlier medal in the World Games, involvement in Asian Championships, and increased recognition of the sport in domestic schemes. But none of this had yet produced a senior world champion — until Anandkumar’s win now.
Key Takeaways from India’s Historic Speed Skating Gold
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Historic First: Anandkumar Velkumar’s gold is the first ever senior world championship gold for India in speed skating. |
| 2 | Event & Timing: The gold was in the Senior Men’s 1,000m sprint at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 in Beidaihe, China, with a time of 1:24.924. |
| 3 | Bronze Preceded Gold: Before the gold, Anandkumar had already won a bronze in the 500m senior sprint in the same championships, marking his and India’s first senior world medal in speed skating. |
| 4 | Junior Success Also: Krish Sharma won gold in the junior 1000m sprint, showing strength in younger categories too. |
| 5 | Broader Impact: The victory is likely to boost the sport’s popularity in India, influence support/policies, and inspire upcoming athletes in roller sports and speed skating. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Anandkumar Velkumar?
Anandkumar Velkumar is a 22-year-old inline speed skater from Tamil Nadu who became India’s first senior world champion in speed skating by winning gold in the 1000m sprint at the 2025 World Championships.
2. Which event did Anandkumar win gold in?
He won the gold medal in the Senior Men’s 1,000m sprint event at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 held in Beidaihe, China.
3. Has India won any senior world medals in speed skating before?
No, Anandkumar’s bronze in the 500m sprint event was India’s first senior world championship medal, and his 1,000m gold is the first ever gold.
4. Who else from India won a medal in the same championship?
Krish Sharma won gold in the junior 1,000m sprint, highlighting India’s potential in junior speed skating as well.
5. Why is this achievement significant for India?
This victory marks India’s emergence on the global speed skating map, boosts the popularity of roller sports, inspires young athletes, and may influence sports policies and funding.
6. Where were the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 held?
The championships were held in Beidaihe, China from September 13–21, 2025.
7. What was Anandkumar’s winning time in the 1,000m sprint?
He completed the 1,000m sprint in 1 minute 24.924 seconds.
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