Anandkumar Velkumar becomes India's first world champion in speed skating
Anandkumar Velkumar won gold in the senior men's 1000m sprint at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 in Beidaihe, China on 15 September 2025, becoming India's first world champion in the sport.
Summary
Anandkumar Velkumar won gold in the senior men's 1000m sprint at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 in Beidaihe, China on 15 September 2025. Velkumar clocked 1:24.924 and became India's first world champion in skating. The 22-year-old had won bronze in the 500m sprint at the same championships a day earlier, India's first senior world championship medal in the sport. Krish Sharma also won gold in the junior men's 1000m sprint. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Velkumar, saying his accomplishment will inspire countless youngsters.
Key facts
- Event
- Senior men's 1000m sprint, Speed Skating World Championships 2025
- Venue / date
- Beidaihe, China; 15 Sep 2025
- Time
- 1:24.924
- First
- India's first world champion in skating
- Also
- 500m sprint bronze a day earlier; Krish Sharma won junior 1000m gold
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In which event did Anandkumar Velkumar win gold at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025 to become India's first world champion in skating?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Senior men's 1000m sprint
Velkumar won gold in the senior men's 1000m sprint in 1:24.924, a day after winning bronze in the 500m sprint.
Where were the Speed Skating World Championships 2025, at which Anandkumar Velkumar won gold, held?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Beidaihe, China
The championships were held in Beidaihe, China, where Velkumar won the senior men's 1000m sprint on 15 September 2025.