Indian speed skater Anandkumar Velkumar has made history, winning India's first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships on Monday. The 22-year-old clocked a time of 1:24.924 in the senior men's 1,000m sprint event, a monumental achievement that has firmly placed India on the global skating map. This victory comes just days after Velkumar had already secured a historic bronze medal in the 500m sprint, making him the first Indian to win a senior world championship medal in the sport.
Velkumar's stellar performance was part of a double celebration for India at the championships. In the junior competition, youngster Krish Sharma also secured a gold medal in the 1,000m sprint, signaling a bright future for the sport in the country. The back-to-back victories in both senior and junior categories highlight the emergence of a strong pipeline of talent.
The historic gold medal has drawn praise from top political figures in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Velkumar on social media platform X, writing, "Proud of Anandkumar Velkumar for winning the Gold at the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint... 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."
Former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also hailed the achievement, calling it a "glorious moment for Indian sports." He wrote on X, "Anandkumar Velkumar clinches Gold... becoming the first-ever Indian World Champion in the sport. Proud of you, Champ!" These messages from national leaders underscore the significance of Velkumar's win and its potential to inspire a new generation of Indian athletes to pursue non-traditional sports.
Anandkumar's rise to the top has been a steady and remarkable journey. In 2021, he won a silver at the Junior World Championships, and two years later, he was part of the Indian team that won bronze at the Asian Games. Earlier this year, he secured India's first-ever medal in roller sports at the World Games in Chengdu. His recent gold and bronze medals at the World Championships are a culmination of his efforts, establishing him as a trailblazer and the new face of Indian speed skating.
