Rising Indian chess star Vantika Agrawal has described winning the Arjuna Award as one of the “most defining moments” of her career and her next big goal is to rank among the top 10 players in the world and to obtain the title of Grand Master.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Arjuna Award. Winning this award is one of the most defining moments of my career and a major personal milestone in my life,” said Vantika.
“This recognition is a testament to my hard work, the dedication of my coaches and the unwavering support of my family and mentors, who have guided my journey,” she added, expressing gratitude to the Pravaha Foundation and MGD1 for their support.
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Vantika, who currently holds 2411 points, put up an exceptional performance during India’s historic victory in the 2024 Chess Olympiad. As a result, she climbed 12 places in the world rankings and secured 13 ELO points.
“Chess has given me the privilege of representing my country, and this honor fuels my ambition to elevate Indian chess to even greater heights,” said the 39th ranked player in the Women’s Classical World Rankings.
“My goals include being among the top 10 players in the world, winning the title of Grandmaster and inspiring a new generation of Indian chess players, especially women, to believe in their potential and strive for excellence,” she added.
Arjuna Award is a big achievement, but emotion is yet to hit: Abhay
India’s Abhay Singh (white jersey) in action. | Photo credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B.
India’s Abhay Singh (white jersey) in action. | Photo credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B.
Indian squash player Abhay Singh was enjoying a nap in a taxi on his way to training in England when he received a congratulatory message also announcing that he had been chosen for the honor of ‘Arjuna.
The 25-year-old, who is aiming to break into the top 30 in the world rankings this year, called the honor a significant achievement but admitted the emotion was not yet fully felt.
“Yes, it’s a great achievement, maybe it will hit me hard when I get there on the 17th. I’m stuck in a training camp in the cold in England at the moment, so it’s a bit hard to understand that,” said world number 54 Abhay, who won a team gold and a mixed doubles bronze in 2023.
“It’s more because of the sacrifices my team and family have made and their investment in me. I hope they are happy and proud,” he added.
When asked how he heard about the award, Abhay replied, “I was sleeping in an Uber on the way to practice, and someone sent me a congratulatory message, and it’s as I found out, to be honest. The emotion is not yet palpable, perhaps soon when everything happens in Delhi. On his parents’ reaction, Abhay, who helped India secure a fifth place at the recent World Team Squash Championships, said their enthusiasm was typical.
“Parents are always the same, dad was excited just like he was after the Asian Games final, and mom is excited, but I think she is even more excited waiting for me to come home after all my long journeys.” Abhay, who is currently training in England, will compete in several events in the United States in the upcoming season before returning to India for the National Games in Dehradun.
