Velkumar Makes History: India Secures First-Ever Gold at Speed Skating World Championships

Indian skater Anandkumar Velkumar made history by winning India's first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships in Beijing, China on Monday, clocking 1:24.924 in the senior men's 1,000m sprint event.This victory followed his earlier achievement of securing a bronze medal in the 500m sprint event with a time of 43.072s, marking India's first senior world championship medal at the same championship in Beidaihe.Watch: Anandkumar Velkumar wins gold in 1000m sprint at World Speed Skating ChampionshipsAdding to India's success, junior skater Krish Sharma also claimed gold in the 1,000m sprint category."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!" wrote Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who served as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports from 2019-21, on social media platform X.The Speed Skating World Championships, which began on September 13 in Beidaihe, China, will continue until September 21.