CNN
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Gukesh Dommaraju returned home to jubilant scenes at the Chennai International Airport on Monday after becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion last week.

The 18-year-old defeated defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday after the Chinese player made a mistake in the final game.

Gukesh was draped in the Indian flag and was holding his trophy. Hundreds of fans greeted him as he returned to his hometown.

“Thank you for all the support. It means a lot to bring the trophy back to India,” he told reporters. “I hope that we can have a lot of fun celebrating together in the next few days.”

“You guys are amazing,” he said of his fans. “You gave me so much energy. I look forward to meeting you all.”

Gukesh’s welcome was similar to that of a rock star or famous cricketer, with confetti, banners, crowds chanting his name and even men on stilts. The champion arrived and departed in a personalized car decorated with the inscription: “The New King of the Kingdom of Chess!”

The 18-year-old landed in Chennai after also doing a bungee jump in Singapore to celebrate his win.

Gukesh burst into tears as he won the final against Ding last week, becoming the youngest world champion by more than four years. The record was previously held by chess legend Garry Kasparov, who was 22 years old in 1985 when he won his first world title.

The 18-year-old is also only the second Indian player to win the title after five-time world champion Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand, who also grew up in Chennai.

According to The Guardian, the newly crowned champion is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in December.

Modi on Thursday congratulated Gukesh on his victory and called the victory “historic and exemplary”.

“This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination,” he continued. “His triumph not only etched his name in the annals of chess history, but also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and strive for excellence.”