Vidit Gujrathi displayed his strong focus and mental toughness at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. He showed that he can stay concentrated even under the intense pressure of international competition. He credits his exceptional mental clarity to his daily practice of meditation, which he has been doing for over 900 days.
Meditation can be challenging, even for the most determined individuals. It requires a high level of discipline that many people find difficult to maintain. As Gujrathi himself has explained, "It is disciplining your mind, and your mind doesn't want to be disciplined; it wants to wander everywhere. The mind doesn't want to be idle, and it is very hard to control and focus." Despite these natural obstacles, Gujrathi has embraced meditation as an essential part of his daily routine, dedicating 10 to 15 minutes each day to practice.
"I would say 10 to 15 minutes a day. It's not much, but I have not missed a day in 900 days and it has really helped me in handling my emotions. Like right now, for example, when I'm giving this interview, I'm upset about a result, but I'm composed," Gujrathi had once told outlook website in a chat.
Chess Olympiad: A Mind Unwavering – Vidit Gujrathi
During the Olympiad, Gujrathi showed impressive composure. Despite the intense and distracting environment, he stayed calm and focused, demonstrating his sharp mind. His regular meditation practice helped him remain calm and composed, giving him an advantage over his competitors.
Gujrathi stands out as an athlete of remarkable mental fortitude in a sport where mental endurance frequently determines success. His unwavering commitment to practicing meditation sets him apart and underlines his exceptional mental strength.
Nothing can distract Vidit Gujrathi's pre-game meditation! #[email protected]/V1i77c2wC6
— Chess.com – India (@chesscom_in) September 13, 2024
"Chess definitely has a lot of mental aspects. Not just like the moves and training, but even the psychological aspect.
"In a physical sport you can let yourself go, the adrenaline takes over and it helps you cool down nerves. But in chess the thoughts are going to be magnified and you can't really run it off in a game. So it lurks more I would say.
"The physical part becomes important in preparation. There are so many tournaments happening nowadays, back to back. I've been on tour now for almost two and a half months. So I do try to stay in shape and I enjoy that. I have seen some people playing with a large belly and still do well. But just for personal reasons, I like to work on my physical fitness.