Reigning Rapid Chess World Champion, GM Koneru Humpy has won the BBC India Sportswoman of the Year award for 2020.
The award was based on a public vote in which Humpy beat sprinter Dutee Chand, shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and hockey captain Rani Rampal.
Humpy, 33, was once the youngest ever woman to achieve the title of Grand Master at the age of 15 years, 1 month and 27 days in the year 2002.
“This award is very precious, not only to me but to the entire chess fraternity. Being an indoor game, chess doesn’t get as much attention as sports like cricket in India. But with this award, I hope, the game will draw people’s attention,” Humpy told BBC.
She had won the World Rapid Chess Championship in December 2019 after a two-year maternity break and later bagged the Cairns Cup title in 2020.