Meet Anandkumar Velkumar, 22-year-old skater, who won two gold medal for India at Speed Skating World Championships

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Anandkumar Velkumar for scripting history at the ongoing Speed Skating World Championships in Beidaihe, China. The 22-year-old clinched gold in the senior men’s 1000m sprint, clocking 1:24.924, to become India’s first-ever world champion in the sport.

Velkumar’s triumph has firmly placed India on the global skating map, marking a breakthrough in a discipline where the country has rarely made its mark. His gold came just a day after he secured bronze in the 500m sprint with a timing of 43.072 seconds, which itself was India’s first senior medal at the Worlds. The back-to-back podium finishes highlight Velkumar’s emergence as one of the brightest talents in speed skating.

Modi praised the young athlete’s grit, speed and fighting spirit, saying these qualities had carried him to the top of the podium. He also emphasised that Velkumar’s success would inspire countless youngsters across the country to dream big and pursue sports with determination.