Skater Anandkumar Velkumar has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships. The 22-year-old struck gold in the senior men’s 1,000 m sprint track event at the 2025 World Championships in China, clocking a record time of 1:24.924.
Congratulating him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “His accomplishment will inspire countless youngsters.”
Early life and education
Born on 19 January 2003, Anandkumar Velkumar hails from Tamil Nadu. He is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at the College of Engineering, Guindy.
Family of skaters
Skating talent runs in the family. His elder sister, Subi Suvetha Velkumar, is also an accomplished Indian skater who has represented the country in international competitions.
Rising career and past achievements
Anandkumar’s historic gold medal is the culmination of years of consistent performance. He first made waves in 2021, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at any World Championships in speed skating with a silver in the 15 km elimination event at the Junior Worlds.
He followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in the men’s 3000 m relay. At the 2025 World Games, he was part of the Indian men’s team that clinched bronze in the 1000 m sprint.
At the 2025 World Championships, along with his gold in the 1000 m sprint, Anandkumar also added a bronze medal in the 500 m sprint, cementing his reputation as India’s brightest skating star.
