Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has hailed Tanitoluwa Adewumi for recently becoming one of the youngest chess masters in US history.
Obama made this known in her official Facebook post while reacting to an opinion article by Nicholas Kristof published last Saturday in New York Times, titled ‘Remember the homeless chess champion? The boy is now a chess master.’
“A lot of people might have written Tani Adewumi off. His family came here as refugees after fleeing Boko Haram. Not too long ago, they were experiencing homelessness,” Obama said.
“He’s got his sights set even higher for the years ahead, another reminder of the extraordinary potential within each of our young people—and our duties as individuals and as a country to help them reach it.”
Kristof stated that this month, as a fifth grader, Tani cruised through an in-person tournament in Connecticut, open to advanced players of all ages, and won every game, emerging with a chess rating of 2223, making him a national master.
Kristof stated that at 10 years 7 months and 28 days, Tani became the 28th youngest person ever to become a chess master in the United States, according to John Hartmann of U.S. Chess.
“Tani had one of the fastest rises, for he began playing chess only at the relatively late age of 7. And he’s aiming higher,” Kristof said.
“The larger lesson of Tani’s story is simple: Talent is universal, while opportunity is not. In Tani’s case, everything came together.”
Kristof further stated that a book Tani and his parents wrote about their journey has been optioned for a feature film by Paramount Pictures. The script is being written by Steven Conrad, who wrote ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ and Trevor Noah is to produce.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Battle For First Bank: The Untold Story
Last week was one of twists and turns for First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the nation’s oldest banking institution. It was a week that saw the bank’s MD sacked and reinstated, as major shareholders struggled for control of the financial powerhouse. SULAIMON OLANREWAJU reports…
#EndSARS Panel: Drama As Witness Presents Video Evidence Of Slain Lekki Protesters
A witness of the Lekki tollgate shooting incident, Miss Sarah Ibrahim has presented video evidence of people injured and killed at the scene to the Lagos State Judicial Panel. Tribune Online reports that…
Truck loaded with live bullets falls, spills contents in Onitsha
Onitsha residents are currently in fear, as a truck fully loaded with cartons of live bullets fell into a ditch and spilled its content all around the street, in the commercial city of Anambra State…
After Two Years, Daddy Freeze Apologises To Bishop Oyedepo
Daddy Freeze whose real name is Ifedayo Olarinde has apologised to Bishop Oyedepo who is the presiding bishop and founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel…
Senator Plang, in a congratulatory statement, praised Professor Piwuna as the definition of devotion and…
A two-time Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr…
“Despite repeated promises to prioritize youth involvement in agriculture, there remains a significant gap between…
Departmental Security Officers, traditional rulers, and Deputy Chairpersons from the twenty Local Government Areas (LGAs)…
The native said that five bodies, including that of a minor, were discovered while the…
Suspected hoodlums attacked three personnel of the Osun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps...
This website uses cookies.