Divya Deshmukh Honored as Emerging Sportsperson of the Year at TOISA 2025
In a glittering ceremony held in Lucknow on Saturday, Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh added another prestigious accolade to her growing list of achievements. The chess prodigy was conferred with the Emerging Sportsperson of the Year award at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025, celebrating her remarkable contributions to Indian sport.
A Night Celebrating Future Icons of Indian Sport
The 2025 edition of TOISA recognized athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honoring exceptional performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. This period marked a watershed moment for Indian chess, with Divya Deshmukh's meteoric rise serving as a primary highlight of the nation's sporting successes on the global stage.
The Nagpur-born chess star headlined the event, which focused on celebrating the future icons of Indian sport. The award selection was meticulously conducted by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes who have defined excellence in their respective fields.
Divya Deshmukh's Historic 2025 Season
For the 20-year-old Divya, 2025 was the year she transitioned from a promising talent to a global powerhouse in chess. Her crowning achievement came at the Women's Chess World Cup, where she outmanoeuvred a field of world-class contenders to clinch the title. This landmark victory was not just a tournament win; it served as the final stepping stone to the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title.
In achieving this feat, Divya became India's 88th Grandmaster and only the fourth Indian woman in history to reach this elite status. Her tactical brilliance and composure under pressure throughout the season also ensured her qualification for the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament, firmly establishing her as a genuine World Championship contender.
Prestigious Jury and Award Significance
The winner for the Emerging Sportsperson of the Year award was selected by a distinguished panel that included:
- Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra
- Hockey icon PR Sreejesh
- Cricketing legend Mithali Raj
- Table tennis stalwart Achanta Sharath Kamal
- Tennis great Leander Paes
- Para-athletics pioneer Devendra Jhajharia
Their collective experience and deep understanding of high-pressure competition ensure that the TOISA honors remain the gold standard for recognizing athletic brilliance in India. As Divya Deshmukh looks toward the Candidates Tournament in 2026, this award cements her status as the vanguard of India's new generation of sporting superstars.
The Times of India Sports Awards continue to serve as a premier platform for acknowledging and celebrating excellence across various sports disciplines in the country.
