India bags two gold medals in Speed Skating World Championship-2025, these players created history
India has scripted history by winning two gold medals simultaneously in the Speed Skating World Championship 2025.
Anandkumar Velkumar has won gold in the Senior Men's 1000m event, while Krish Sharma has won gold in the Junior Men's 1000m event.
Earlier, no Indian had won a gold medal in the Speed Skating World Championship.
Anandkumar Velkumar, a 22-year-old Indian speed skater, won India’s first-ever gold medal at the 2025 Speed Skating World Championships held in Beidaihe, China. He secured the senior men’s 1000m sprint title with a time of 1:24.924, becoming India’s first world champion in the sport. Many ministers and leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have praised his achievement.
Velkumar had also won a bronze the previous day in the 500m sprint event. The achievement was widely celebrated by officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who praised his grit and determination.
PM Modi wrote on Instagram, "Proud of Anand Kumar Velkumar for winning the gold medal in the Senior Men's 1000m event at the Speed Skating World Championship 2025. His patience, speed and passion have made him India's first world champion in skating."
Junior skater Krish Sharma also won gold in the 1000m sprint, marking a remarkable day for India at the championships.