The Beidaihe World Championships will be remembered for record-breaking performances, exciting relays, and the rise of new nations at the highest level.

The 2025 Inline Speed Skating World Championships lit up Beidaihe, China, from September 13 to 21. The venue featured a parabolic indoor track, ensuring world-class racing conditions for athletes and an unforgettable experience for spectators, with competitions taking place smoothly.

From the very first day, the event showcased the global reach of the sport, with six different countries claiming gold across the opening finals. Over the full seven days of competition, nine different nations reached the top step of the podium. Yet, the true story of Beidaihe 2025 came from India’s historic breakthrough.

Anandkumar Velkumar stunned the speed skating world with double gold, including an incredible victory in the Senior Men’s Marathon and a decisive win in the 1000m. His triumph marked India’s first-ever world titles in the discipline, together with the junior athlete Krish Sharma who also won gold in the junior 1,000 m sprint, sending a powerful message about the country’s growing presence on the international stage. The Indian team’s achievements stand out as the defining highlight of this year’s Championships.

ANAND KUMAR INTERVIEW

When you first put on skates as a young boy, did you ever imagine you would become a World Champion? What were your dreams back then, and what you went through to achieve this goal? 

I first laced up my skates at six years old on a small cement badminton court near my home in Chennai, after watching my sister Subi take up skating. I never imagined then that I would become a World Champion; I just loved being on wheels. Over the years gradually moving from district to state competitions as my passion grew. Back then my dream was to win medals at the national level. In 2018 I represented India for the first time at the world championships after which I really wanted to prove myself for my country. At that time I couldn’t have foreseen these historic gold medals, but the journey started with that same childhood excitement and determination.

The morning after your victory, you woke up to find your photo on Prime Minister Modi’s social media post. Can you describe that exact moment? What went through your mind? How did it feel to receive recognition at the highest level?

The morning after my 1000m victory, I woke up to lots of messages. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post, was something that made a lot of people know about skating and the sport is finally getting the recognition it deserves . Seeing my photo on his feed and reading his words about how my victory would inspire youngsters made me feel deeply honoured. It was overwhelming and humbling to receive recognition at the highest level of our country.

The Indian government awarded you 1.8 crore rupees (approximately $170,000) - likely the highest individual prize in speed skating history worldwide. Did you ever expect this level of recognition and reward? What does this mean for you personally and for the sport in India?

When I learned that the Tamil Nadu government had announced ₹1.8 crore as a reward for my two gold medals, I was surprised and humbled. I never expected that level of immediate  recognition. For me, this isn’t just personal — it represents the growing respect for speed skating in India. This support means a lot because it helps athletes like me continue to train and dream even bigger.

What happened in India after your double gold victory? How did your family, your community, and the country react? Can you describe the moment you returned home?

The reaction back home was unbelievable. My family was emotional, the whole skating community celebrated, and the entire country seemed to take notice. When I landed in Chennai, I was welcomed with flags, flowers, and cheers — it was a surreal and emotional moment. To see the pride in my parents’ eyes and the smiles on so many faces reminded me that this victory wasn’t just mine; it belonged to India.

In a country where cricket is everything and millions dream of being the next Virat Kohli, what message do you have for young Indians who might now dream of becoming the next Anand Kumar? How can we inspire youth to explore sports beyond cricket?

In a country where cricket is everything, my message to young Indians is: follow your passion, whatever it may be.I hope my story shows that if you work hard and stay patient, you can make history in any sport. India is a land of limitless talent — we just need to look beyond one game to discover it.

Be completely honest: when you arrived at the World Championships, did you expect to win two gold medals? Did you surprise even yourself? What was your mindset before the races?

Honestly, I didn’t expect to win two gold medals. My goal was to give my best and hopefully win a medal. When I stood on the podium for the first gold, it felt like a dream — I surprised even myself. Before the races, my mindset was to give my best and focus on the results later.

What advice would you give to young Indian athletes choosing speed skating sport?  What kept you going when things were difficult?

To young Indian skaters, I’d say — enjoy the process, not just the medals. Every training day, every small win matters. There were times when I doubted myself, but I always remembered why I started. Support from my coaches, teammates, and family kept me going. Progress can feel slow, but if you stay consistent and passionate, it all adds up.

Now that you’re a double World Champion with historic recognition, what’s next for Anand Kumar? What are your dreams - in skating and beyond?

I haven’t thought much about my goals but I would say Id really like to win many more world titles and live this sport for many years to come. Beyond that, I’m finishing my computer science degree and hope to inspire many young skaters in India

What is your dream for speed skating in India? What needs to happen for India to become a global powerhouse in this sport? Can you imagine Indian cities hosting thousands of skaters?

My dream is to see India become a global force in speed skating. For that, we need better infrastructure, more international-standard tracks, and more competitions on home soil. If we can bring world-class facilities and events to India, thousands of kids will participate. Even our national championships see a huge number of skaters participating.

If you could choose to bring one major World Skate event to India - whether it’s the World Championships, World Skate Games , or the Marathon tour in iconic Indian cities - which would you choose and why? What would it mean for Indian youth to see world-class skating in their own country?

If I could choose one event to bring to India, it would be the World Championships or the World Skate Games. Hosting it here would be historic — imagine Indian kids watching the best skaters in the world compete in their own country! It would inspire a whole new generation. I truly hope this becomes a reality one day.

Other standout performances included:

• Colombia’s supremacy, closed Beidaihe 2025 as the undisputed leader of the Championships, topping the medal table with an outstanding 20 gold medals.

• Italy’s consistency, Paola Chiumiento emerged as the most decorated skater of the Championships.

• Asian strength, as Li-Yang Kuo (Chinese Taipei) and Kim Jichan (Korea) secured top sprint titles, while host nation China celebrated multiple podium finishes. The Chinese Taipei Senior women team also impressed in the marathon, securing podium places.

• Chile and Ecuador both celebrated strong performances, each securing three gold medals during the Championships, indicating the continued growth and rising competitiveness of their speed skating programs. Chile’s Junior Men’s relay win was particularly thrilling, decided in an impressive last-lap sprint.

• Spain and France remained consistently among the top nations on the podium: Jhoan Guzman, the ‘sprinter king,’ dominated the sprints, while Marine Lefeuvre excelled in points races, showing their nations’ expertise across different distances.

The Beidaihe World Championships will be remembered for record-breaking performances, exciting relays, and the rise of new nations at the highest level.

The next rendezvous for the world’s best skaters will be the World Skate Games 2026 in Paraguay, where the story of global inline speed skating continues.