New Delhi, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian skater Anirudhan Vinod described hearing the national anthem after winning gold at the World Skate Games 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay, as one of the proudest moments of his career, following an impressive campaign that brought him two medals.
Vinod won gold in the Junior Men’s Road 1-Lap event and silver in the Junior Men’s 200m Dual Time Trial, contributing to India’s overall tally of seven medals at the competition.
Speaking at a celebration ceremony in Delhi, the Kerala-born skater said his achievements marked a significant milestone for him and his state.
“I feel so proud, because this is the first time that a Malayali from Kerala climbed to the top. I feel so proud of myself. I want to thank my family and my coaches,” he told IANS.
Vinod revealed that he had taken a complete break from college to prepare for the competition. The decision paid off, he said, as standing on the top of the podium and hearing the national anthem made the hard work worthwhile.
He has now set his sights on becoming a senior world champion.
“My next aim is to become world champion in senior,” he said.
Meanwhile, Charita Sri Madepudi, who won bronze in the Junior Women’s 3000m Relay alongside Rutva Prakash, Pragathi Shivabalan and Lakshita Ranjith Kumar Sinthu, highlighted the physical and technical demands of competitive skating.
She said the sport requires balance, coordination, speed and concentration, adding that winning a medal at the World Skate Games requires sustained preparation.
Madepudi said she trained twice daily, focusing on strength and coordination, and hopes to continue skating while pursuing her studies.
India’s seven-medal haul at the event highlighted the performances of its young skaters on the international stage, with Vinod’s gold and silver providing a notable boost to the country’s campaign.
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