Sat Dec 14 01:57:08 UTC 2024: ## Mental Coach Paddy Upton Celebrates Gukesh’s World Championship Run
**Singapore** – Celebrated sports psychologist Paddy Upton, known for his work with India’s 2011 World Cup-winning cricket team and other Olympic medalists, played a pivotal role in chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh’s near-miss at the World Chess Championship. While initially skeptical about working with such a young athlete and in a sport so reliant on mental fortitude, Upton formed a close working relationship with Gukesh, culminating in an emotional embrace after the championship match.
Upton, contacted by Gukesh’s sponsor following the Candidates Tournament, focused on mental conditioning rather than chess strategy. Their 50-hour collaboration centered on managing pressure, handling wins and losses, and cultivating a champion’s mindset. Upton emphasized the importance of arriving at the championship *as* a champion, a mentality he believes he helped instill.
The coach’s approach involved minimal intervention during the tournament itself. Gukesh only contacted Upton after a key loss, demonstrating a self-assuredness that impressed Upton. Even seemingly minor details, such as ensuring Gukesh’s sleep quality by adjusting his room temperature, were addressed to optimize performance.
Upton’s presence in Singapore for the final days of the championship underscores the impact of their collaboration. While Gukesh ultimately fell short of victory, the emotional scenes of celebration between coach and player highlight a successful partnership and underscore the growing importance of mental coaching in elite sports.
First Piper 