At the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, a name from Tamil Nadu etched itself permanently into the annals of Indian sporting history Anandkumar Velkumar.
The 22-year-old speed skater clinched the bronze medal in the 1000m Sprint, delivering India’s first-ever roller skating medal at the World Games. His achievement not only marked a personal milestone but also signaled a major breakthrough for Indian roller sports, a discipline that has long been overshadowed by more mainstream events.
The bronze was not just a solitary triumph. It ensured that India would return from Chengdu with three medals, the nation’s highest-ever tally at a single World Games. For a sport that has fought for recognition and resources, Velkumar’s podium finish represents a watershed moment a turning point from participation to genuine medal contention.
From Fourth to the Podium: The Chengdu Drama
In the final of the 1000m Sprint, Velkumar executed a calculated race strategy. He held position in the middle of the pack before producing a late surge in the last lap, crossing the line in fourth place. Ahead of him were two Colombians and a Spaniard. But moments after the race, news broke that Colombia’s Juan Jacobo Mantilla Pinilla had been disqualified, elevating Velkumar into the bronze-medal position.
Some may view the result as fortunate, but his consistent performances through the competition show otherwise. In the preliminaries, he clocked 1:22.151 to finish third in his heat. He then improved to 1:20.355 in the semi-finals, securing second place and a direct ticket to the final. To be in medal contention in such a competitive field underscores his tactical acumen and world-class conditioning.
This was not his only event in Chengdu. Velkumar also competed in the 10,000m Points Race (12th place), and he is competing in the 10,000m Elimination Race proving his versatility across formats.
While Chengdu 2025 has made him a household name, this was not the first time Velkumar rewrote India’s roller skating history. In 2021, at the Speed Skating World Championships in Ibagué, Colombia, he won silver in the 15km Junior Elimination Race India’s first-ever medal at a speed skating world championship. That race was a test of both skill and survival, held in pouring rain with slippery conditions and physical jostling. Velkumar’s ability to stay composed and avoid falls earned him a podium finish and global recognition.
In 2023, at the postponed Asian Games in Hangzhou, he was part of the Indian men’s 3000m relay team that claimed bronze India’s first roller skating medal at the Asian Games since 2010. His contribution came despite a series of pre-Games injuries from training crashes, highlighting his resilience and ability to perform under adversity.
These milestones first Indian world championship medalist, first Asian Games medalist in over a decade, first World Games medalist — collectively define Velkumar as a trailblazer. Born in 2003 in Tamil Nadu, Velkumar’s introduction to skating came through his elder sister, Subi Suvetha Velkumar, also a competitive skater. At age six, he began training under coach Anna Raja at a local badminton court. What began as quad-skating soon evolved into inline speed skating, the format used in elite competitions.
By 2018, his rapid progression earned him a national team debut at both the World Championships in the Netherlands and the Asian Championships in South Korea. Balancing his skating ambitions with academics, Velkumar is currently pursuing a computer science degree at the College of Engineering, Guindy a demanding combination that speaks volumes about his discipline and time management.
Velkumar’s daily schedule is relentless. His mornings start at 4:30 am with road skating or cycling sessions lasting at least three hours. After a full day of classes, he trains again in the evening at Chennai’s Indoor Nehru Stadium under the guidance of coach Sathya Moorthy, a former national champion. The national program, overseen by coaches like Shripad Shinde, brings skaters together for quarterly training camps, while most preparation happens at their home bases.
Financially, roller skating is a challenging sport in India. Equipment is costly and mostly imported. Sponsorships are scarce, and athletes often rely on family support. Velkumar himself has acknowledged the vital encouragement and backing from his parents and sister throughout his career. His achievements have also coincided with improved government recognition, including the inclusion of roller skating in the Central Government’s Cash Incentive Award Scheme for international medalists. In Tamil Nadu alone, skaters recently received over ₹4.8 crore in cash prizes, with Velkumar personally awarded ₹25.5 lakh.
Why This Bronze Matters Beyond the Medal
In a nation where cricket dominates the sporting landscape, Velkumar’s success serves as a reminder that India’s talent extends far beyond the mainstream. His podium finishes have already influenced policy and funding, giving roller sports a visibility it has never enjoyed before. The World Games bronze proves that Indian athletes can challenge traditional powerhouses in disciplines where the country previously had no track record.
The fact that this medal contributes to India’s record haul of three medals at a single World Games makes it part of a larger narrative of sporting diversification. For Velkumar personally, it cements his place as the face of Indian roller sports a sport still campaigning for Olympic inclusion.
Velkumar is candid about his aspirations: he wants more podiums at the World Championships and hopes to see roller skating included in the Olympic Games. Olympic status would revolutionize the sport in India, bringing in funding, facilities, and nationwide interest. His journey provides exactly the kind of success story that can strengthen that case. From a boy skating in a local court to a multi-medal-winning international athlete, Anandkumar Velkumar’s rise reflects talent, grit, and an unshakable belief in his goals. His historic firsts 2021 World Championships silver, 2023 Asian Games bronze, 2025 World Games bronze are more than personal achievements; they are milestones for a sport fighting for its place in India’s sporting identity.
As he continues to race for glory, Velkumar carries the hopes of a new generation of Indian skaters. His bronze in Chengdu is not the finish line it is a launchpad for bigger dreams, faster times, and perhaps one day, an Olympic podium.
