The lot of an eight years old Nigerian boy has changed as he has been crowned chess champion in New York’s state-wide competition.
Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who lives in a homeless shelter with his family, won the category for his age bracket last weekend with an undefeated performance, according to the New York Times.
The young Nigeria, who learned about chess barely a year ago, is now nurturing the dream of becoming the “the youngest grandmaster”
Station Magazine understands that Tani, along with his mother, father and older brother, reportedly fled northern Nigeria in 2017 fearing potential attacks by the terror group Boko Haram
Watch the excerpt of his interview with CNN
He's 8 years old, an immigrant from Nigeria, and was living in a homeless shelter with his family.
And, after learning to play chess a year ago, he's now a New York champion. https://t.co/FSfZQMdbw2 pic.twitter.com/r6v1p6PdUU
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
In a related development, the former President of the United States Bill Clinton, on Wednesday, took to his twitter handle to express excitement about the chess talented kid and expressed his desire to met with him and his family.
“Refugees enrich our nation and talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.”
This story made me smile. Tanitoluwa, you exemplify a winning spirit – in chess and in life. And kudos to your hardworking parents. You all should stop by my office in Harlem; I'd love to meet you. https://t.co/zKuQg6zJkg
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) March 19, 2019
Meanwhile, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his family will no longer have to live in the homeless shelter as over $130,000 have been raised through the gofundme platform to get his family a decent apartment.
Russell Makofsky, the overseer of the school’s chess programme, was responsible for the crowdfunding page for the family to secure a home which has received more than $94,000 (£71,000) in donations.
This is the perfect video for #InternationalDayOfHappiness ☺️☺️☺️
Eight-year-old Tanitoluwa is a US chess champion. His family have been living in a homeless shelter for two years – but people have just donated £130,000 for them to move into an apartment ❤️ pic.twitter.com/owkJXmafse— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) March 20, 2019
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