In a landmark moment for Indian sports, junior speed skater Anish Raj clinched the bronze medal in the Junior Men’s One-Lap Road Sprint at the 73rd Inline Speed World Championships held in Beidaihe, China. Competing against the world’s elite, Anish delivered a remarkable performance clocking 39.714 seconds to secure a podium finish. This victory marks a monumental achievement for the young athlete he becomes the first Indian to win a medal in One-Lap Road Sprint Junior category.
The Beidaihe Worlds, running from September 13–21, is a prestigious global event that witnessed participation from 42 countries, bringing together the fastest and most skilled junior and senior speed skaters in the world. This highly competitive championship serves as the ultimate platform for athletes seeking to compete at the pinnacle of roller sports, and a showcase of the sport’s growing global reach. India was represented by 19 athletes at Beidaihe this year in various categories, demonstrating the country’s expanding footprint in international roller sports.
Anish’s podium adds to a breakout season for Indian speed skating. In recent months, he earned national team selection through standout results at trials and brought home Gold at the 20th Asian Roller-Skating Championships held in South Korea which featured competitors from 14 countries.
