Gukesh Dommaraju: The youngest ever World Chess Champion returns home to rock star welcome in India

On By Littum



CNN
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Gukesh Dommaraju returned home to jubilant scenes at the Chennai International Airport on Monday after becoming the youngest ever world chess champion last week.

The 18-year-old beat defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday after the Chinese player failed in the final game.

Draped in the Indian flag and with his trophy, Gukesh was greeted by hundreds of fans as he returned to his hometown.

“Thank you for all the support. It means a lot to bring the trophy back to India,” he told reporters. “I hope we can have fun for the next few days celebrating together.”

“You guys are amazing” he said of his fans. “You gave me so much energy. Looking forward to meeting you all.”

Gukesh’s welcome resembled that of a rock star or famous cricketer, with confetti, banners, crowds chanting his name and even men on stilts. The champion arrived and left in a personal car, decorated with the words: “The new king of the chess kingdom!”

The 18-year-old landed in Chennai after also completing a bungee jumping in Singapore to celebrate his victory.

Students at Gukesh Dommaraju's school in Chennai celebrate after Gukesh became the youngest ever world chess champion.

Gukesh broke down in tears when he won the final match against Ding last week, becoming the youngest world champion by more than four years. The record was previously held by chess legend Garry Kasparov, who was 22 years old when he won his first world title in 1985.

The 18-year-old is also only the second Indian player to win the title, after five-time world champion Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand, who also grew up in Chennai.

The newly crowned champion is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in December, according to The Guardian.

Modi congratulated Gukesh on his win on Thursday, calling the victory “historic and exemplary.”

“This is the result of his exceptional talent, hard work and unwavering determination,” he continued. “His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history, but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and strive for excellence.”