A Pinner schoolgirl will be the youngest-ever person to represent England in an international sporting competition.
Nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan attends St John Fisher Catholic Primary School. She has been selected to play for England’s women’s team in the Chess Olympiad in Budapest later this year, making her the youngest person to represent her country in any sport ever.
Bodhana first started playing chess during the COVID-19 lockdown. She now holds the title of Woman FIDE Master, is the youngest person to secure the women’s prize at the European Blitz Chess Championship, and is currently the world number one under-10 girl in chess.
The Chess Olympiad will take place from September 10 to 23 and will see Bodhana playing for England against nations from across the world.
The chess prodigy recently appeared on Sky News, where she said: “I’m really happy and I’m really excited to play there. It will be a good experience!”
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School headteacher Mrs Nina Pignatiello said: “We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Bodhana’s exceptional accomplishment in being selected to represent England at the Chess Olympiad. This is a historic moment, not just for Bodhana and her family, but for our entire school community.
“Bodhana’s dedication to chess is truly inspiring. Despite her young age, she has demonstrated a level of skill, commitment, and maturity that sets her apart as a prodigy in the truest sense. Her ability to balance her chess practice with her academic responsibilities is commendable and speaks volumes about her character and determination.
“At our school, we strive to nurture each child’s unique talents and passions, and Bodhana’s success is a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance.
“We wish Bodhana the very best of luck at the Chess Olympiad and look forward to celebrating many more of her successes in the future. She has made us all immensely proud, and we are honoured to have her as a part of our school community.
“We believe that Bodhana’s story will encourage other young students to pursue their passions with the same enthusiasm and determination. Her journey is a wonderful example of how far talent and hard work can take you, and we are excited to support her every step of the way.”
Photo Credit: Spectrum FM Costa Almeria
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