Striking a clean balance between his hard work and discipline, 17-year old Anish Raj is one the most talked-about names in the Indian skating space. Since the beginning of this year, Anish has been busy bringing laurels to the country and a matter of pride for his ancestral home, Bihar. Culminating in a historic moment for India on the global stage, Anish Raj broke records with his historic bronze medal in the Junior Men’s One-Lap Road Sprint at the 73rd Inline Speed World Championships in Beidaihe, China.
With an impressive track record of 39.714 seconds, he became the first Indian ever to win a medal in this fiercely competitive category. Competing against the world’s best from 42 countries, Anish dedicates this victory to India. “Winning a medal at the World Championships is a dream come true. The competition was intense, but I stayed focused on giving my best. I’m grateful to my coaches, my family, and everyone who has supported me. This medal is for all of India,” Anish said.
This success didn’t come overnight. Anish added multiple feathers to his cap with gold at the 20th Asian Roller-Skating Championships in South Korea, where he outpaced skaters from 14 countries.Earlier in the year, he had made a mark at the national trials in Mohali, winning both gold and silver to earn his spot on Team India for the Asian Championship and World Championships.
Anish’s journey to the global podium has been full of milestones. In 2019, he grabbed gold at the Flanders Grand Prix European Cup in Belgium, a breakthrough victory that put him on the international map. At National level, he claimed a podium finish at the 61st National Roller-Skating Championship in 2023, further cementing his position as one of India’s top junior skaters. In 2017, he won the UP State Championships and bagged multiple golds and earned recognition from the District Olympic Association.
With 102 gold, 15 silver, and 5 bronze medals across various tournaments, Anish’s record speaks for itself. His training regimen, relentless commitment, and dedication to leading a clean lifestyle have been the foundation of his achievements. His success is not limited to athletics; he has also been widely appreciated for his academic performance, having scored over 90 percent in school.
Anish’s family roots in Bihar add a deeper layer of pride to this achievement. Bihar has always had a unique enthusiasm for sports, producing countless talents who have made India proud in hockey, athletics, archery, kabaddi, and cricket. The soil of Bihar has given the country many stalwarts such as ShivnathSingh, C. Prasad, Sanjeev Singh, Rajiv Kumar Singh, and Kirti Azad.
Anish now joins this illustrious list, symbolising how Bihar continues to nurture champions whose achievements echo far beyond their home state. With this historic win, Anish has proved that India’s roller sports scene is growing and it is time for the young athletes to chase their dreams. His inspiring journey stands as a living testimony for India’s sporting talent.