Gukesh Dommaraju, the chess prodigy from India, was overjoyed and grateful to have been chosen for the coveted Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.
Four beneficiaries of the prized award were named by the Union government on Thursday: Gukesh, hockey player Harmanpreet Singh, shooter Manu Bhaker, and Paralympian Praveen Kumar.
On January 17, the awards will be given out at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In addition to the Khel Ratna, three coaches will be honored with the Dronacharya Award, and 32 athletes will win the Arjuna Award.
Gukesh told Hans India in response to the accolade, “I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the prestigious Khel Ratna award.” I want to express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, for recognizing my accomplishments. This acknowledgment inspires me to work even harder and win more awards for the nation in 2025. For me, my family, and my colleagues, this honor has great significance.
“Your words and guidance have always inspired me to strive for excellence and make the nation proud,” Gukesh continued in a tweet expressing gratitude to the prime minister. I swear to keep making the finest movements I can on the 64 squares and beyond.
One of the most lauded moments in Indian sports in 2024 was the 18-year-old’s triumph. In a thrilling final of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore in December 2024, Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. Gukesh broke Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest champion, established in 1985 at the age of 22, and became India’s second World Chess Champion after Viswanathan Anand with a 7.5-6.5 triumph.
Gukesh started playing chess when he was seven years old. He rose to international attention in 2018 after taking home many gold medals from the Asian Youth Chess Championship and the Under-12 championship at the World Youth Chess Championship. His quick ascent through the ranks demonstrated his extraordinary skill and commitment to the game.
Gukesh was born in Chennai on May 29, 2006, into a Telugu family that was originally from Andhra Pradesh. His upbringing was crucial to his development. In order to further their professions, his father, Rajini-kanth, an ENT surgeon, and mother, Padma Kumari, a microbiologist, relocated to Chennai. Gukesh attended Chennai’s Velammal Vidyalaya School. His family comes from the Andhra Pradesh district of Tirupati, namely Chenchuraju Kandriga village, which is close to Satyavedu.
