‘You guys are amazing’: Indian chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju returns to hero’s welcome
The 18-year-old became the youngest world champion in Singapore last week when he seized upon an unfortunate blunder by China’s Ding Liren
India’s chess star Gukesh Dommaraju has returned to a hero’s welcome in his home city on Monday 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 obsessed only 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.
