Speed Skating World Championships, India secure two gold medals

India scripted a historic moment in global skating as Anandkumar Velkumar clinched the country’s first-ever gold at the Speed Skating World Championships in China. The 22-year-old speedster powered to victory in the senior men’s 1000 m sprint with a timing of 1:24.924, becoming India’s first world champion in the sport. The triumph came just a day after Velkumar had secured a historic bronze in the 500m sprint at the same championships in Beidaihe, clocking 43.072s to claim India’s first senior Worlds medal. Adding to the historic evening, Krish Sharma claimed the junior 1000  m sprint gold, completing a remarkable double for India at the championships.

Krish sharma has won the gold Medal in the 1000mts race at the 2025 World Championships in China
India’s first-ever gold medal in the junior Speed category at a World Championship!

This incredible achievement marks a new chapter for Indian skating and inspires every aspiring… pic.twitter.com/B2szWaSdJY

— Dr. Deep Dutta (@deepduttaendo) September 15, 2025

Velkumar’s consistency and world-beating performances have shattered barriers in a sport traditionally dominated by European, Latin American, and East Asian athletes. His victories are already being hailed as revolutionary, signalling a turning point for Indian roller sports.

What a glorious moment for Indian sports!
Anandkumar Velkumar clinches Gold in the 1000m Sprint at the Speed Skating World Championship 2025, becoming the first-ever Indian World Champion in the sport.
Proud of you, Champ! pic.twitter.com/DbXd4NowX4

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 15, 2025

With medals spanning the Asian Games, World Games, Junior Worlds, and now the World Championships, Velkumar has firmly established himself as a trailblazer and a symbol of India’s growing presence on the global skating stage. His achievements represent not only personal triumphs but also a defining moment for India in a sport where the nation has historically had little presence.