Overview
- Velkumar successfully defended the senior men’s 42 km marathon in Asuncion on Sunday, recording a reported time of 1:01:59.102 to retain the world title.
- He completed a three‑medal campaign at the World Skate Games by winning silver in the 1,000m in 1:21.922—0.004 seconds behind Italy’s Duccio Marsili—and bronze in the 500m in 40.856 seconds.
- Junior skaters Lakshita, Pragathi and Rutva won bronze in the junior women’s 3,000m relay, which reports identify as India’s first relay medal at a world‑level speed‑skating championship.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay posted public congratulations for Velkumar and the junior relay trio, noting the results as inspiration for young athletes.
- Velkumar’s rise from a 2021 junior world silver and the 2025 senior world titles in China to this title defense highlights a growing Indian presence in elite roller sports and could boost support and investment for the discipline.