Anandkumar Velkumar: India’s First Gold at the Speed Skating World Championships
On a crisp September evening in Beidaihe, China, history was made on the speed skating rink. Anandkumar Velkumar, a 23-year-old skater from India, clocked 1:24.924 to clinch gold in the men’s 1000m sprint at the 2025 Speed Skating World Championships. It was not just a victory; it was a first of its kind. No Indian had ever won a medal at the senior World Championships before, let alone a gold. Velkumar’s win was preceded by a bronze in the 500m sprint, where he finished with an impressive 43.072s. Together, the medals marked a watershed moment in Indian speed skating.Breaking New GroundVelkumar’s gold was not just a personal milestone but also a national breakthrough. Until now, India’s achievements in speed skating had been modest. While cricket, badminton, and hockey often dominated headlines, skating remained largely ignored. Velkumar’s victories have changed that narrative. He had already shown glimpses of his promise in 2021, when he won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in the 15 km elimination event. That achievement was a stepping stone, but what he has done in 2025 is monumental. Speed Skating: The Thrill of Precision and Power on IceInline speed skating is a high-intensity racing sport where athletes compete on inline skates instead of ice blades. Races are held on smooth tracks, road circuits, or specialized skating arenas, with distances ranging from short sprints like 200 m and 500 m to endurance races that stretch for several kilometers. Skaters wear lightweight aerodynamic suits and precision-engineered skates with 3 to 4 large wheels, allowing them to hit speeds of over 60 km/h. The sport demands explosive acceleration, endurance, tactical positioning, and the ability to navigate sharp curves at high speed. Traditionally dominated by countries such as Colombia, Italy, and South Korea, inline speed skating is now seeing new challengers. India’s Anandkumar Velkumar has brought the sport into the national spotlight with his historic gold in the 1000m sprint and bronze in the 500m sprint at the 2025 Speed Skating World Championships in Beidaihe, China, a breakthrough that could inspire the next generation of skaters in India.From Struggles to SuccessBehind the shining medals lies a story of sacrifice and persistence. Velkumar’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. Speed skating in India suffers from a lack of infrastructure, training facilities, and funding. Unlike cricket stadiums or football academies, skating rinks are scarce, and young athletes often have to rely on makeshift training spaces. Velkumar, however, refused to give up. He dedicated himself to the sport, often training under difficult conditions. A Bright Future for Speed Skating in IndiaThe Speed Skating World Championships 2025, held from September 13 to 21, showcased world-class talent. But for India, it will always be remembered as the year the tricolor flew high on the podium for the first time. Velkumar’s win could open doors for the sport in India. With proper support, speed skating could find its place alongside athletics, wrestling, and other disciplines where India has traditionally excelled. His journey may inspire young skaters to take up the sport, knowing that global glory is possible. This isn’t the first time Velkumar has put India on the map. At the 2022 Asian Games, he was part of the men’s 3000m relay team that clinched bronze. Each achievement built confidence, culminating in the historic gold of 2025. His story is about more than medals. It is about inspiration and the courage to dream differently. As India celebrates its first speed skating world champion, the message is clear: a new sporting era has begun, and Velkumar is its shining face.
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