CHENNAI (AFP) – India’s chess star Gukesh Dommaraju returned to a hero’s welcome in his home city yesterday after becoming the youngest world champion aged only 18.
Hundreds of fans crowded the arrivals area of Chennai airport, cheering alongside banks of television cameras as Gukesh made his way out of the airport after victory in taking the World Chess Championship title.
“It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India,” Gukesh told reporters, with garlands of flowers draped around his neck, brandishing the glittering trophy in his hand.
“I can see the support and what it means to India, I am glad to be here,” he added, as celebratory petals thrown into the air smothered his hair.
Gukesh downed China’s Ding Liren in a dramatic endgame in Singapore last week – becoming a sudden superstar in a nation where sporting fans are usually only obsessed with cricket.
The scenes in the south Indian city of Chennai were reminiscent – albeit on a smaller scale – of this year’s triumphant homecoming of the country’s cricket stars with the T20 World Cup trophy.
Young fans, mainly from Gukesh’s school, held placards and photos of their new hero – whose victory has given a boost to dreams of pursuing chess as a professional sport.
When he won in Singapore – after nearly three weeks and 14 games of intense battle against the 32-year-old Ding – Gukesh burst into tears.
Gukesh, who is usually reserved and more used to quiet and cerebral tournaments than wild celebrations, looked almost overwhelmed by the rock star welcome yesterday.
