FIDE Women’s World Champion Divya Deshmukh Meets Sports Minister Mandaviya

By A Staff Reporter

Delhi: Teenage chess sensation Divya Deshmukh, who recently made history by becoming the FIDE Women’s World Champion, met Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the national capital on Thursday. The meeting marked a celebratory moment for Indian chess and acknowledged the 18-year-old's remarkable international achievement.

“It is very overwhelming to see so much love from India,” said Deshmukh, speaking after the meeting. “I think, along with all other factors, family support is most important,” she added, crediting her inner circle for being her foundation through the rigours of the tournament.

Deshmukh described her title run as a significant emotional and mental challenge. “This tournament has been the biggest test of resilience,” she said, referring to the high-pressure environment of the global competition, where she emerged victorious against top-ranked international players.