MIAMI, FLORIDA (TIP): Nikhil Kumar, anIndian-American student from Miami has won the World Cadets Chess Championship, under-12 division by defeating World No. 1 Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa of India.

The tournament held from October 18-31 in Batumi, Republic of Georgia saw the eight-grader at Ransom Everglades middle school finish first in a field of 137 students from 36 countries. After a victory over teammate Andrew Hong, Kumar had 9/10 and was 1.5 ahead of the field. Nikhil’scrucial win over tournament favorite Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa set him up for the early victory.

“I really wasn’t expecting that from myself, but like when I won it was a good feeling,” he said afterward. “I was proud of myself, and happy to be representing the country, like in such a good way,” he added. He draped an American flag over his shoulders as he accepted the first-place medal and trophy.