New Delhi: Indian speed skater Anandkumar Velkumar, 22, made history on Monday, September 15, by winning the first Gold medal for India in the World Championships. Velkumar triumphed over Italy’s Duccio Marsili to secure the title, completing the 1000m sprint in 1 minute, 24 seconds, and 924 milliseconds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “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. Congratulations to him and best wishes for all future endeavours.”
This Gold medal was earned just a day after Velkumar secured a bronze in the 500m sprint event, with a time of 43.072 seconds. Additionally, Krish Sharma won Gold in the juniors’ 1000m sprint, marking a historic day for India at the Beidaihe Speed Skating World Championships. Velkumar’s double-medal success reflects his growing prominence in roller sports globally, following his consistent performances in various competitions.
Earlier this year, Velkumar earned a bronze in the 1000m sprint at the World Games in Chengdu. In 2023, he was also part of the relay team that claimed bronze in the 3000m event at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Four years prior, he won a Silver medal in the Junior World Championships in the 15km elimination event.
PM Modi Congratulates R Vaishali on her Achievement
In a separate statement, PM Modi praised R Vaishali Rameshbabu for her accomplishment in defending the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title. “Outstanding accomplishment. Congrats to Vaishali Rameshbabu. Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours,” he noted, emphasizing her qualification for the Candidates 2026 tournament, making her the third Indian to achieve this milestone.
