Surat – Bringing immense pride to the city and the nation, Prajgnika Vanka Lakshmi, a talented student of S.D. Jain Modern School, has emerged as the World Champion in the Under-7 category by winning a gold medal for India. Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, Prajgnika secured victory in all nine rounds of the tournament, marking a historic milestone in her budding chess career.
Prajgnika has been steadily advancing towards excellence over the past year, participating in numerous prestigious chess tournaments and delivering remarkable performances. Her achievements include winning the Gujarat State Inter-School Chess Championship 2023 (Ahmedabad, December 2023), becoming the Gujarat State Chess Champion 2024 (Ahmedabad, July 2024), and securing the runner-up position in the Gujarat State Inter-School Championship 2024 (Ahmedabad, December 2024). She also finished as the runner-up in the National School Chess Championship 2024 held in Peddapuram, Andhra Pradesh, and claimed Under-7 champion titles in several tournaments in Surat and Mumbai.
On November 1, 2024, Prajgnika became the only Under-6 player from Gujarat to achieve a FIDE rating of 1450 in the classical format, a feat that reflects her exceptional potential in the world of chess.
Her coach, Rohan Julka, played a pivotal role in shaping her journey by dedicating extra time and effort to prepare her for this championship. Prajgnika’s parents, Ramnath and Praveena, were equally instrumental, offering unwavering support and encouraging her to participate in every competition. The administration and principal of S.D. Jain School also extended full cooperation, contributing to her remarkable success.
The entire city of Surat has expressed pride in Prajgnika’s extraordinary accomplishment. Her triumph has been made possible through the combined efforts of her family, coach, and school, and she has received warm wishes and blessings from across the community for a bright and successful future.
