'Very happy to wake up everyday as World Champion...,' says emotional D Gukesh at WACA celebrations

The WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA), a collaboration of WestBridge Capital and Vishwanathan Anand, which has played a pivotal role in the growth of Gukesh, felicitated the world champion on January 5. Overwhelmed with all the celebrations, says youngest world champion D Gukesh as he takes the stage at Good Shepherd Auditorium in Bangalore.

The audience re-witnessed the game, where the 18-year-old claimed the youngest world champion crown, visibly emotional D Gukesh met the crowd in auditorium cheering his name. 

As he takes the centre, he says the feeling of being the world champion has now settled down. He expresses that he is very happy to wake up everyday as a world champion. It was a dream for D Gukesh to hold the crown since he was 11.

Gukesh expressed that while his victory in the world championship is a significant achievement, however, he is now looking ahead to future successes. He shared his enthusiasm for 2025, which is expected to feature a variety of new and competitive tournaments.

The young chess champion is actively devising his preparation strategy for the upcoming months, highlighting his dedication to self-improvement and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Amidst the surge of recognition, Gukesh is committed to keeping balance in his life. He reflected on the attention he received after his world championship victory, noting that the level of acclaim surpassed his expectations.

While he appreciates the accolades, Gukesh understands the necessity of managing his newfound fame in conjunction with his training schedule.

He also mentioned that although he has resumed training, it will take time to regain the intensity needed for serious preparation. He recognized the importance of recovery following the world championship match, but he is now eager to engage in focused training to keep his competitive edge.

Meanwhile, Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world champion and Gukesh’s mentor, commented on the significance of Gukesh’s success. Anand highlighted that Gukesh’s victory has once again shifted the spotlight onto Indian chess.

Anand believes that Gukesh's success will act as a driving force for future generations of chess players in India. He believes that Gukesh’s world championship title, along with the growing interest in Indian chess, will motivate young players to embrace the game, thereby enhancing India's standing in the global chess arena.