NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Billionaire Gautam Adani hailed teenager Gukesh Dommaraju, who recently became the youngest world chess champion by defeating defending champion Ding Liren from China, as a symbol of India’s unstoppable youth.
The chess prodigy, accompanied by his parents, met Adani in Ahmedabad.
Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, which spans ports to energy, expressed on X, “It was a true privilege to meet and learn about the victory journey of reigning World Chess Champion @DGukesh.”
Sharing photos alongside Gukesh and his parents, Adani remarked, “Meeting his remarkable parents, Dr. Rajinikanth and Dr. Padmavathi, was equally inspiring; their unwavering sacrifices were pivotal to his success.”
“At only 18, Gukesh’s grace and talent highlight the potential of India’s unstoppable youth. Talents like him are igniting inspiration for a new generation, cultivating a cadre of champions poised to lead the chess world for years to come. This is the confident, rejuvenated, and ascending India. Jai Hind!” he stated.
Gukesh secured his title as the 18th world champion after triumphing over Ding in a 14-game match held in Singapore last month.
He is four years younger than Garry Kasparov, who had held the record as the youngest world champion since 1985 when he defeated Anatoly Karpov.
This Thursday, Gukesh was among four athletes selected to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sports honor.
Alongside becoming the youngest world champion, Gukesh played a crucial role in leading the Indian team to a historic gold medal at the Chess Olympiad last year.
“The awardees will receive their honors from the President of India at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025 (Friday), at 11:00 AM,” the sports ministry announced in a press release.
Following the match in Singapore, Adani described Gukesh’s victory as “stunning.”
“At just 18, @DGukesh has made history! What an achievement – the youngest undisputed classical chess world champion, defeating the great Ding Liren! This victory signifies not just a personal achievement but a pivotal moment for India’s chess evolution, instilling hope and daring dreams in an entire generation of champions! Congratulations, Gukesh!” he wrote in a post on X on December 12. (PTI)
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