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 for the 3000m relay at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Wiki/Biography
Anandkumar Velkumar (age 20 years; as of 2023) is a student studying computer science at the College of Engineering, Guindy, which is a part of Anna University in Chennai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx.): 60 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Anandkumar’s older sister’s name is Subi Suvetha Velkumar. Subi is a research analyst and a professional skater too. Anandkumar Velkumar stated that he found motivation within his family from his older sister Subi who has also represented the country in skating. There is not much information about his parents.
Subi Suvetha Velkumar, sister of Anandkumar Velkumar
Career
When talking about how he began a career in skating, Anandkumar Velkumar said,
My sister was already getting trained in roller skating. And when she finally made it to the national team, I also wanted to start representing India. Every time she crossed a milestone in skating, I knew I, too, would do that. I started skating for fun at the age of six. Gradually, I got selected for the district-level, state-level, etc. Then, I won a national gold in the 8-10 age category. Skaters start with quad skates (with one wheel on each corner of the skate. But in international events, one has to compete using inline skates (with one wheel on each corner of the skate). But in international events, one has to compete using inline skates (with wheels in a line). So, I switched to inline skates and started getting trained using that.”
Anandkumar Velkumar won the silver medal in the 15k elimination race, junior men category, at the 2021 Inline Speed Skating World Championships in Ibagué. 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
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 includes Anandkumat 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.”
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 (extreme 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