Anandkumar Velkumar has pulled off yet another unforgettable feat for Indian sport, this time winning gold in the marathon event at the Speed Skating World Championships in Beidaihe, China. The 22-year-old finished first in the gruelling 42km race, adding another glittering chapter to what has already been a dream tournament for him. This latest triumph follows his earlier medal haul at the same championships, where he claimed gold in the 1000m and bronze in the 500m. By conquering the marathon, Velkumar has gone where no Indian has gone before, underlining his place as a true pioneer of the sport. Velkumar’s story is the kind that inspires generations. His journey began not on a grand skating rink, but on a simple cement badminton court near his home. From those modest beginnings, he worked tirelessly, slowly shaping himself into a world-class athlete. The breakthrough moment arrived in 2021 when he won silver at the Junior World Championships, a first for India. Earlier this year, he carried that momentum to the World Games, winning bronze and once again putting India on the global skating map. In Beidaihe, he began his campaign with bronze in the 500m sprint, used that as fuel to claim gold in the 1000m, and has now capped his campaign with the biggest medal of them all in the marathon. For Velkumar, this is not the finish line but another step in his rise. His relentless hunger to succeed makes it clear that Indian speed skating has finally found its trailblazer.
