Chess
Gukesh D receives hero’s reception in Chennai
The teenager was mobbed by fans and the media at the airport on Monday.
"It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India," said Gukesh D on arrival at Chennai on Monday. (Photo Credit: AFP)
The newly crowned World Chess champion Gukesh D arrived in Chennai on Monday morning to a rapturous reception.
Just as soon as he emerged from the arrival gates, the chess prodigy was mobbed, predominantly by the media.
Additionally, scores of fans also thronged the Chennai airport and echoes of ‘Gukesh, Gukesh’ rang aloud at the terminal.
VIDEO | "Thank you for all the support. It means a lot... to bring back trophy to India. Thank you for this reception. I hope we will have a great time in the next few days celebrating together," says World chess champion D Gukesh (@DGukesh) as he arrives at Chennai airport from… pic.twitter.com/HtPryuqSzz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 16, 2024
Speaking briefly to the media, Gukesh thanked everyone for the support accorded to him.
“Thank you for all the support, it means a lot to bring back the trophy to India. Thank you for this reception. I hope we can have a great time the next few days celebrating together,” he said.
On Thursday last week, Gukesh beat China’s Ding Liren in game 14 to emerge victorious and was crowned the undisputed world champion.
He is now the 18th world chess champion and at 18 years of age, he is the youngest player in the world to claim the title.
For willing the title, Gukesh earned $1.35 million (INR 11.45 crore approximately) while Ding, despite relinquishing his world title, earns $1.15 million (INR 9.75 crore approximately).
