India’s Anandkumar Velkumar successfully defended his world marathon title at the World Skate Games 2026 in Asunción, Paraguay, winning gold in the 42-kilometre race on October 18. The 23-year-old Tamil Nadu speed skater clocked 1:01:59.102 to finish on top, following his marathon gold at the 2025 World Speed Skating Championships in China. Velkumar’s latest victory completed a three-medal campaign in Paraguay, after he had already won silver in the 1,000m sprint and bronze in the 500m.
His performance made him India’s standout senior skater at the Games, while the Roller Skating Federation of India (RSFI) had earlier praised his performances as part of a strong campaign by the Indian contingent.
Gold At The Finish
Velkumar’s marathon triumph came after a tightly contested campaign in Asunción. He completed the 42km event in 1:01:59.102, retaining the title he first won at the 2025 World Speed Skating Championships in Beidaihe, China. The victory is significant because he has now established himself as a back-to-back world champion in one of speed skating’s most demanding events.
The marathon was also the culmination of a consistent Games campaign for Velkumar. Earlier in the competition, he secured bronze in the 500m sprint in 40.856 seconds. He then followed it with silver in the 1,000m, recording 1:21.922 and missing gold by just four milliseconds. Italy’s Duccio Marsili won that race in 1:21.918.
Three Medals In Paraguay
The three medals underline Velkumar’s versatility as a skater. While the 500m and 1,000m demand explosive acceleration and speed, the marathon requires sustained pace, endurance and tactical judgement over a much longer distance.
His results also accounted for India’s senior medal haul at the Games, with Velkumar winning one gold, one silver and one bronze. His marathon gold therefore provided a fitting finish to an already successful campaign and further strengthened his standing among the country’s leading roller-sport athletes.
The World Skate Games 2026 were held in Asunción from October 2 to 18, bringing together athletes across multiple skating disciplines. World Skate’s official competition schedule lists the Speed Open Marathon among the events held on October 18.
A History-Making Journey
Velkumar’s rise has been gradual but significant. He first broke through internationally at the 2021 Junior World Championships in Colombia, where he won silver in the 15km elimination race — India’s first medal at the competition.
He subsequently won bronze in the men’s 3,000m relay at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, held in 2023, before continuing his progress on the senior circuit. In 2025, he won gold in the 1,000m sprint and the 42km marathon at the World Speed Skating Championships in China, along with bronze in the 500m. Those victories made him the first Indian to win a senior world championship title in speed skating.
Recognition From RSFI
The Roller Skating Federation of India has repeatedly highlighted the work behind Velkumar’s international success. Following his 2025 world championship breakthrough, RSFI President Tulsiram Agrawal said the achievement reflected years of hard work, along with the support of families, coaches, clubs and the wider skating fraternity.
The federation credited coaches including Giulio Ravasi, Shripad Shinde, Sathya Moorthy, Rahul Kaush and Desraj for their contribution to the champions’ development. RSFI said the 2025 victories had provided “huge confidence and motivation” for India’s younger skaters as it pursued its Vision 2027 for roller sports.
During the 2026 Games, RSFI Vice President and Indian team Chef de Mission Sebastian Prem C also publicly praised Velkumar’s performances. After his earlier medals in Paraguay, the federation described his campaign as a source of pride and said the Indian contingent remained determined to bring home more medals.
Beyond One Champion
Velkumar’s achievement comes at a time when Indian roller sports are gradually gaining greater visibility internationally. His junior breakthrough, Asian Games medal and successive senior world-level performances have helped put speed skating on the radar of Indian sports audiences beyond the country’s traditionally dominant disciplines.
His success also highlights the importance of sustained investment in less-publicised sports. While cricket and a handful of Olympic disciplines command much of the country’s sporting attention, athletes such as Velkumar demonstrate that Indian talent can compete — and win — on world stages across a much broader sporting landscape.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Velkumar’s back-to-back marathon world titles are more than an individual sporting achievement; they are a reminder of what can happen when talent is supported consistently over many years. His journey reflects the contribution of athletes, families, coaches and sporting institutions working together, while his success can also inspire young Indians to explore disciplines that may not always receive the same attention or resources.
As Velkumar continues to raise India’s profile in roller sports, how can we give athletes from lesser-known disciplines the recognition and support they deserve?
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