New Delhi: The Indian contingent that made history at the 2025 Speed Skating World Championships in China returned to a hero’s welcome at Delhi Airport on Tuesday, bringing home a record-breaking haul of three gold medals and two bronze India’s best-ever performance at the event.
Senior skater Anandkumar Velkumar led the charge with a sensational showing, becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior men’s 1,000 m sprint with a time of 1:24.924. He added another gold in the men’s marathon event and also secured a bronze in the 500 m sprint, bringing his personal tally to three medals. According to World Skate, the global governing body for roller sports, Anandkumar’s achievements mark a historic milestone for India in a sport traditionally dominated by European and East Asian nations.
India’s junior athletes also shone on the global stage. Krish Sharma clinched gold in the junior men’s 1,000 m sprint, while Anish Raj claimed bronze in the junior men’s one-lap sprint, rounding out India’s total medal count to three golds and two bronzes. The championships were held from September 13 to 21 in China.
Tulsi Ram Agarwal, President of the Roller Skating Federation of India, praised the team’s performance, saying, “It is our immense pleasure that we have been able to bridge the Chinese wall traditionally the forte of Western countries in speed skating — by winning three golds and two bronze.”
“I recently won two gold medals at the world championship. I feel really great, and the whole team is very happy. It’s the first time we won so many medals at the world championship.” Krish Sharma called his gold a “dream come true,” while Anish Raj expressed optimism about the future of speed skating in India, saying the sport will reach new heights with continued support from the federation.
The historic medal haul has drawn widespread praise from sports administrators and fans, and is expected to boost the profile of roller sports in India, inspiring increased grassroots participation in the coming years.
