Chennai, Nov 11:
Arena FIDE Master (AFM) Sharon Rachel Aby of Chennai has scripted history on the international stage by clinching three gold medals for India at the 4th Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities 2026, held at the Ak Keme Hotel in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The 12th-grade commerce student from Spartan Exclusive School, Mogappair, delivered an exceptional clean sweep across all three competitive formatsâClassical, Rapid, and Blitzâin the Girls Under-20 Physical Impairment category. Sharon, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type-2) and competes from a wheelchair by vocalising her moves to an assistant, scored 3/5 points to finish 5th overall in Rapid, 5/7 points to finish 3rd overall in Blitz, and 6/9 points to claim 4th place overall in Classical, topping the junior girls’ standings in each event.
The championship proved to be a standout outing for Tamil Nadu, with Sharonâs teammate Durkasri M. securing silver medals in all three events behind her, scoring 2.5/5 in Rapid, 4.5/7 in Blitz, and 5/9 in Classical. Sharonâs triple gold adds to her growing international tally, following a gold in the 2024 edition in Bishkek, a bronze at the 2024 IPCA World Championship in Armenia, and three silvers at the 2025 IPCA Championship in Goa. Led by Sharon and fellow gold-medallist Nishan Mondal, the Indian contingent completed the tournament with an impressive haul of 14 medals, comprising five golds, five silvers, and four bronzes.