Delhi: After winning gold in the Chess Olympiad in Hungary, Tania Sachdev says, I don't think there's a word to really describe this feeling. I think, for me, in my career, it's right up there. It was a dream to have the women's team on the podium. It finally happened, and in the best way imaginable because we had the men's team alongside us, the women's team, the historic double board, and I think I'm still processing it. I believe these are the moments that we take away with us to be more inspired, to give even more for our country, and to play our hearts out.
#TaniaSachdev #ChessOlympiad #IndiaShines #DoubleGoldVictory #HistoricWin #TeamIndia
#TaniaSachdev #ChessOlympiad #IndiaShines #DoubleGoldVictory #HistoricWin #TeamIndia
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00:00I don't think there's a word to really describe this feeling.
00:04I think for me, my career, it's right up there.
00:07I started my Olympic journey back in 2008 in Dresden.
00:12You know, it was a dream to have the women team on the podium.
00:16It finally happened in 2024, after 16 years, after 8 Olympics.
00:20And in the best way imaginable, because we had the men team alongside us,
00:24the women team, the historic double gold, and I think I'm still processing it.
00:27It's the biggest stage. Every match is extremely difficult.
00:30There's high expectations, high pressure.
00:33But if I had to point to one moment that I'm really proud of for my team,
00:37it's actually when we lost the 8th round against Poland.
00:41We were leading, we had won all our 7 matches.
00:43Our 8th match, we had a setback, we lost that one.
00:46And why I'm proud of my team is because of the resilience we showed after that.
00:50Because one of the most difficult things in sports is to do is to make a comeback.
00:55We had to play against US in round 9.
00:59And this is the same team who we lost against in the Chennai 22 Olympiad in the final match.
01:04So lots of memories, lots of flashbacks and this grudge match.
01:09And we were able to come back, we were able to overcome the challenge.
01:12And I think that's the moment that I'm super proud of.
01:15It's again, once again, something that's hard to put into words because
01:19his contribution, his guidance, the inspiration that he's given to every single chess player in the country.
01:26It's impossible to put it into words.
01:30And whatever chess is today, it's on his shoulders.
01:34It's because of him.
01:36There's this question that why is this golden generation, this golden period of chess?
01:41If you all had to point out to one reason, I think that would be Vishisah.
01:44I think it only means great things because everyone's been saying that
01:48India is a powerhouse in chess now.
01:52The future of chess is in India.
01:54But with this performance, this historic double gold,
01:57I think we've established that India is not only the future, it's the present of chess.
02:01And hopefully this victory will inspire many, many young boys and girls to take up the sport.
02:06Very special.
02:07Another, I think it was an evening that's going to stay with us for a very, very long time.
02:12He loves sports.
02:15He has such a big vision for sports in India.
02:18And I think he has so much affection for athletes.
02:21And that was really nice too.
02:23It was really a special interaction with him.
02:25We learnt a lot from him, exchanged a lot of stories of the of the Chess Olympics with him.
02:30And I think he fills everyone with enthusiasm.
02:33A lot of them, a lot of stories were exchanged and a lot of advice he gave us on many, many things,
02:39which again will help us going forward in many ways.
02:42But I think the one thing that he said was,
02:44that hunger should never be destroyed.
02:46And that desire to learn and to go forward should always be there.
02:50It's really been very special, the kind of support and love that we've received after the gold medal.
02:58Firstly, I would like to thank the fans as well for cheering us on, for rooting for us.
03:02And also Sai, our All India Chess Federation.
03:04And of course, meeting the Honorable Prime Minister and the Sports Minister today.
03:07I think these are the moments that we take away with us
03:10to be more inspired, to give even more for our country and to play our hearts out.