Gukesh Dommaraju, the youngest world champion at the age of 18, made his return to his hometown on Monday ( Dec 16 ) a hero’s welcome in his home city.
As Gukesh made his way out of the aircraft after winning the World Chess Championship name, thousands of fans crowded the visitors region of Chennai aircraft, cheering alongside banks of television cameras.
With bouquets of flowers draped around his neck and a glittering trophy in his hands, Gukesh said,” It means a lot to take the prize back to India.”
As celebration flowers smothered his hair, he said,” I can see the help and what it means to India, I am happy to be here.”
In a dramatic final game against China’s Ringing Liren, Gukesh defeated the Chineseman in Singapore last year, establishing himself as a sudden superstar in a country where cricket-loving fans are typically just focused on cricket.
The views in Chennai, in southern India, were suggestive of this year’s triumphant return to bowling with the T20 World Cup trophy, though on a smaller size.
Fresh supporters, primarily from Gukesh’s class, held banners and images of their new warrior, whose victory has sparked hopes to pursue game as a professional sport.
Gukesh burst into tears when he defeated the 32-year-old Ding in a close call in Singapore, after almost three months and 14 matches of heart-pounding combat.
Gukesh looked about overjoyed at the rock star welcome on Monday, who is typically reserved and more accustomed to silent, cognitive tournaments than crazy celebrations.
Before being soon ushered into a vehicle smothered in banners of him, along with his father, he declared,” You guys are amazing. ” You gave me so much power”.