Chennai, Oct 19 Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday congratulated Tamil Nadu speed skaters Anandkumar Velkumar, Lakshita, Pragathi and Rutva for winning medals at the World Skate Games 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.
In a post on X, the CM extended his heartfelt congratulations to Anandkumar, who won gold in the senior men’s marathon, and to Lakshita, Pragathi and Rutva, who won bronze in the junior women’s 3,000 m relay race.
He said their achievements would provide encouragement and inspiration to the younger generation aspiring to excel in sports.
Anandkumar has won a bronze medal in the 500 m category and a silver medal in the 1,000 m category at the Games before clinching gold in the senior men’s 42 km marathon on October 18.
“I wish skater Anandkumar, and athletes Lakshita, Pragathi and Rutva, who have made Tamil Nadu and India proud by winning medals, many more heights to scale,” Vijay said.
Anandkumar Velkumar, who hails from Chennai, successfully defended his world title in the senior men’s 42 km marathon at the World Skate Games 2026 in Asuncion on October 18.
In the junior women’s category, Lakshita, Pragathi and Rutva won bronze in the 3,000 m relay race, marking India’s first-ever relay medal at the World Speed Skating Championships.
(PTI News)
