Sportstar Aces 2024, Popular Choice Awards: R. Praggnanandhaa nominated for ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)‘ award

In 2023, R. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest Chess World Cup finalist ever at the age of 18.

R. Praggnanandhaa during day one of the Tata Steel Chess India Open Blitz in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: The Hindu / Debasish Bhaduri

R Praggnanandhaa was nominated for the ‘Popular Choice — Sportstar of the Year (Male)‘ award for the upcoming Sportstar ACES Awards 2024.

ACES Awards 2024 | Voting lines now open for Sportstar ACES Awards

The teenage chess sensation had a stellar 2023, as the 18-year-old won the Asian Games team silver for India in Hangzhou and had a peak rating of 2740-plus. 

Praggnanandhaa didn’t stop there. He secured his place in the prestigious 2024 Candidates tournament, becoming the third youngest player ever to do so, alongside chess legends Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. 

He added yet another feather to his cap by defeating 2800-rated Grandmaster Ding Liren for the first time in a classical game at the Tata Steel Chess Masters.

IN 2023

• Won Asian Games team silver
• Had a peak rating of 2740-plus
• Currently second-highest-ranked player in India
• Defeated 2800-rated GM Ding Liren for the first time in a classical game at Tata Steel Chess Masters
• Became the world’s youngest player to reach the Chess World Cup final
• Became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach the final in Chess World Cup history
• Qualified for the 2024 Candidates tournament

About ACES Awards 2024

There are 21 categories of awards this year – five Popular Choice and 16 Jury awards.

The five Popular Choice awards are ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)‘, ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)‘, ‘National Team of the Year’, ‘Club/State Team of the Year’, and ‘Moment of the Year’.

The Jury Awards are Sportsman of the Year (Individual Sports, Track and Field, Team Sports, Parasports), Sportswoman of the Year (Individual Sports, Team Sports, Track and Field, Parasports), Coach of the Year, Best State for Promotion of Sports, Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports, Best PSU for Promotion of Sports, Best College/University for Promotion of Sports, Lifetime Achievement Award, Young Achiever of the Year (Boy), Young Achiever of the Year (Girl).

There will also be a separate Chairperson’s Award for Sports for Social Good, which will honour individuals or organisations that have used the power of sports to make our world a better place.