D Gukesh returned to Chennai, India after his miraculous victory at the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto, Canada.
D Gukesh was overwhelmed at the airport as he returned to a rousing welcome in Chennai on Thursday after becoming the youngest challenger to the world title following his triumph at the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto.
Hundreds of students from Velammal Vidyalaya, the school where Gukesh studies, lined up at the airport at least an hour before his flight landed to welcome the 17-year-old chess prodigy.
A large crowd also formed as his arrival time approached and the area around the arrival gate was packed in no time.
Velammal students at the airport, all ready to welcome Gukesh. pic.twitter.com/PVVnZhg1XY
– Swaroop Swaminathan (@arseinho) April 24, 2024
The youngster emerged from the airport around 3 a.m. and was immediately flanked by the jubilant masses. He was decorated with garlands by the people even as the police scrambled to escort him safely.
“I feel very happy with this return to my roots, it’s a particular success. I was in a good position since the start of the tournament, I had full confidence that I will come out first in this tournament and luck was also on my side,” Gukesh told the media at the airport.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Winner of the FIDE Candidates 2024, Gukesh D receives a great welcome on his arrival in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/Ck5w7mxfNr
-ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2024
VIDEO | Chess grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju received a warm welcome on his arrival at the Chennai airport late last night.
Gukesh became the youngest challenger to the world title after his triumph at the prestigious Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto.
(Full video available… pic.twitter.com/17RNu5xHIm
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2024
VIDEO | Chess grandmaster D Gukesh returned to Chennai after winning the Candidates Tournament held in Toronto, Canada as the world’s youngest player.
“It feels good. Viswanathan Anand is an inspiration to everyone. He played a huge role in my career. I’m really happy.”… pic.twitter.com/W8oW5q6jhJ
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2024
“It’s good to see so many people enjoying chess…I thank the Tamil Nadu government. I thank my Appa, Amma, my coach, my friends, my family, my sponsor and my school for being by my side and playing an incredible role in helping me win this tournament,” he said. added.
His mother Padma, a microbiologist, was there to receive him along with other family members and the young champion beamed as soon as he spotted her in the crowd. They exchanged a hug after greeting each other.
VIDEO | Here’s what Rajinikanth, the father of chess grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju, said about his son’s victory at the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto.
“This is a very proud moment for us. We need a little time to realize the importance of the achievements because it is very hectic until… pic.twitter.com/xlrW26iuzw
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2024
Gukesh’s father Rajinikanth, who is an ENT surgeon but left his practice to support himself, had traveled with the teenager to Canada for the tournament.
On Monday, Gukesh became the first Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to win the candidates’ tournament, organized specifically to determine the challenger to the reigning world champion.
He became the youngest contender for the title, breaking the record set by Garry Kasparov 40 years ago.
The triumph gives Gukesh the right to face reigning world champion Ding Liren of China in the final quarter of the year.
Kasparov had praised Gukesh’s performance, calling it an “Indian earthquake in Toronto.” He also said India’s performance in the Candidates marked a “tectonic shift” in the global sporting order.
Throw 🔙 to 2019 and 🇮🇳 Gukesh D, then 12 years old: “I want to become the world champion!”
At 17 years old, @DGukesh is now one step away from his childhood dream of becoming world champion; he has just triumphed at #FIDECandidatesbecoming the youngest winner ever, and… pic.twitter.com/bcFXJAlJLf
– International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 25, 2024
Among the players Gukesh beat in the tournament victory was 18-year-old R Praggnanandhaa, another prodigal talent from Chennai. A total of five Indians, three men and two women, participated in the tournament.
Gukesh became India’s youngest grandmaster at 12 years, seven months and 17 days in January 2019. Currently, he has a FIDE rating of 2743, while his maximum rating was 2758, which he achieved in last September.
Gukesh is currently 16th in the FIDE rankings, while his best ranking happens to be eighth, which he reached last September.
His best recent performances include a silver medal at last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games in the men’s team category.
