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The year 2024 witnessed a remarkable surge in the achievements of Nagpur's sportspersons, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication on international platforms. Leading the charge was Divya Deshmukh, an 18-year-old Woman Grandmaster who achieved unprecedented success in the world of chess. Within months of becoming the World Junior chess champion, she ascended to the top of the junior rankings, a testament to her exceptional skill and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her achievements extended beyond the junior level; she seamlessly transitioned to the senior ranks, becoming an integral part of the Indian senior women's team that achieved a historic gold medal victory at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. This victory was particularly significant due to Divya's consistent performance throughout the tournament, playing all 11 rounds unbeaten, showcasing her resilience and strategic prowess. She amassed an impressive 9.5 points, winning eight games and drawing three, playing a pivotal role in India's triumph. Her performance rating of 2586 Elo was exceptional, earning her an individual gold medal on Board 3, adding to the team gold and achieving a unique double gold record in the Chess Olympiad. This extraordinary feat cemented her status as a rising star in the world of chess and made her the only Nagpur sportsperson to achieve this landmark achievement. Her story is an inspirational narrative of talent, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence at the highest level of competition.
Malvika Bansod, Nagpur's badminton queen, also had a remarkable year, representing a stunning comeback from adversity. In 2023, she faced significant setbacks due to illnesses that hampered her training and competition schedule, including dengue and typhoid. These challenges prevented her from competing at the Paris Olympics, a significant blow to her aspirations. However, displaying remarkable resilience and determination, Malvika staged a powerful comeback in 2024. She demonstrated her improved form by winning the US Open, and then went on to achieve notable victories against experienced and highly-ranked shuttlers. Notably, she became only the third Indian player after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to reach the quarterfinals of the prestigious China Open, further solidifying her position amongst the world's elite badminton players. Her triumphant year culminated with a silver medal win at the Hylo Open in Denmark. This remarkable comeback story showcases Malvika's fighting spirit, dedication to her craft, and unwavering pursuit of her Olympic dreams. Her inspiring journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance in overcoming challenges and achieving success in the highly competitive world of professional badminton, keeping her firmly on track to achieve her 2028 Olympic aspirations.
Jennifer Varghese, a table tennis prodigy from Nagpur, consistently demonstrated her exceptional talent, achieving remarkable success in various age categories at the World Youth Table Tennis Championships (WTT). This consistent medal-winning performance reflects her dedication and skill. By the end of 2024, the 16-year-old had made significant progress towards the senior level, achieving a bronze medal in the women's singles event at the Senior National Ranking TT tournament in Goa. This is a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her potential to transition seamlessly from the youth to the senior ranks, further highlighting the remarkable depth of talent emanating from Nagpur’s sports scene. Her achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of the city’s coaching programs, and provide an exciting glimpse of what the future holds for this young table tennis star. Along with Divya and Malvika, other Nagpur athletes like Nayan Sarde, Adarsh Bhure, Siya Deodhar, and Gunjan Mantri also made significant contributions, earning India caps in various international tournaments and showcasing the city's rising prominence in the sporting world.