Anandkumar Velkumar is an Indian athlete who participates in speed skating. Anandkumar won the silver medal at the 2021 Inline Speed Skating World Championships, making him the first Indian to win a medal. Anandkumar and his teammates also won the bronze medal in the 3000m relay event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Anandkumar Velkumar was born in 2003 (age 20 years; as of 2023). Anandkumar was a computer science student at the College of Engineering, Guindy
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents. Anandkumar’s older sister’s name is Subi Suvetha Velkumar. Subi is a research analyst and a professional skater. In an interview, Anandkumar Velkumar said that he found motivation from his older sister, Subi, who has also represented the country in skating.
Subi Suvetha Velkumar, sister of Anandkumar Velkumar
Career
Anandkumar Velkumar started skating for fun when he was six years old. He was inspired by his sister Subi Suvetha who went for roller skating training. When Subi made it to the national team, Anand felt the need to represent India too. Anandkumar wanted to cross every milestone that his sister was crossing in skating. Anandkumar went on to be selected to represent his district and state before he won a national gold medal in the 8-10 age category. Anandkumar joined the national team in 2018. He represented India at the World Championships in the Netherlands and the Asian Championships in Namwon, South Korea, in 2018. In the 2018 World Championships, he achieved the 39th position in the 10,000m road race and was at the 88th place in the road marathon, competing alongside both juniors and seniors. Anandkumar Velkumar won the silver medal in the 15k elimination race in the junior men’s category at the 2021 Inline Speed Skating World Championships in Ibagué, Columbia. Anandkumar recorded a time of 24.14.845 seconds while it was raining.
Anandkumar Velkumar (second from left) at the 2021 Inline Speed Skating World Championships where he won a silver medal
When asked about the factors that led to his silver medal win at the World Championships after a three-year gap, Anandkumar said,
I aimed to gain international exposure and understand the skills of athletes from other countries. I gained that valuable experience in 2018, which fueled my motivation. Since then, I consistently worked on enhancing my performance in every event I participated in. This year, I even had the opportunity to train with senior skaters from India.” [1]The Times of India
After winning the medal, Anandkumar made a statement,
I can’t express what I feel, (it) is the first medal for India. It was difficult, especially in the rain, there was a lot of shoving and everyone was slipping. I was just thinking; we are going to cross the finish line, don’t fall, because it was really difficult in the rain.”
At the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, Anandkumar and his relay team won a bronze medal. The team included Anandkumar Velkumar, Siddhant Rahul Kamble, and Vikram Rajendra Ingale who came third at the men’s 3000m speed skating relay.
Anandkumar Velkumar (extreme left) posing with the bronze medal that he won at the 2022 Asian Games along with Siddhant Kamble and Vikram Rajendra Ingale
Anandkumar also came in sixth for the men’s speed skating 10000m point-elimination race at the 19th Asian Games. After winning the relay medal, Anandkumar said,
It was really hard racing. It was my first time racing in the senior category, so it was a great experience to be racing with them. Winning the medal was a dream come true, and all the people in India will be happy.” [2]Hindustan Times
Medals
Silver
- 2021: 15k elimination race at the Inline Speed Skating World Championships in Ibagué.
Bronze
- 2022: 1000m race at the 36th National Games in Gujarat.
Anandkumar Velkumar (right) at the award ceremony of the 36th National Games where he won the bronze medal
- 2023: 3000m relay at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, with Siddhant Rahul Kamble and Vikram Ingale
Incredible display of teamwork brings home yet another Bronze Medal!
Anandkumar Velkumar, Siddhant Rahul Kamble, Vikram Rajendra Ingale have the Bronze in the Men's Speed Skating 3000m Relay.
India is overjoyed and takes immense pride in this accomplishment! pic.twitter.com/M9PhmYlZiK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2023
References
| ↑1 | The Times of India |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Hindustan Times |
