00:00...team to represent the county at National Chess Tournament.
00:07Araf began playing chess in November 2024.
00:10Before that, he played casually on a mobile app and had limited knowledge of the game.
00:15However, in November 2024, he attended his first tournament and became the underweight champion,
00:21which was a significant surprise for his family and the Sussex Junior team manager.
00:25The manager advised them to support Araf further, recognising his great talent.
00:29Consequently, he started visiting a local chess club where everyone was amazed by his rapid progress in just two months.
00:36On the 1st of January 2025, Araf participated in his second tournament,
00:41scoring four out of six wins and successfully defending his under-8 Sussex Junior chess title.
00:47Following his outstanding performance in these tournaments and training sessions,
00:50Araf was selected for the Sussex Junior under-9 team on his birthday, January 19th, 2025.
00:56He is now officially representing Sussex County in national-level tournaments.
01:01Wow.
01:02Wow.
01:02Wow.
01:10Cool.
01:11Well, congratulations, young man.
01:14Now, how does it feel for you to win this award?
01:16It feels really nice.
01:18Now, you know, athletes who do, let's say, running and football,
01:27they come away with injuries and sometimes strains.
01:30After you've played a lot of tournaments, how do you feel after you've played lots of tournaments?
01:34I feel like I'm going to win a trophy or not.
01:37I'm going to be angry.
01:42Well, congratulations.
01:44And I'll tell you what, we all get behind you and wish you the very best.
01:48And we'll look out for you punching that clock and winning as many chess tournaments as you can.
01:51Congratulations, Aaron.
01:52Well done.
02:23Congratulations, Sandra.
02:33I think I just called you Sandra.
02:35Sandra, congratulations.
02:37You are the kind of person, so I'm so glad to believe, that did not look for thanks or recognition.
02:42So what does this award mean to you?
02:44Oh, that's a shock.
02:46I'm very grateful.
02:47I'm grateful for my son of nominating me.
02:50And I'm grateful for all the little apps that have got me a word for them.
02:56Yeah, it keeps you very much so to keep my busy.
02:58Do you not ever look at the weather on a bad day and go, nah, someone else can do it today?
03:06No, because I've got dogs, sometimes two dogs that have to be walked every day.
03:11So I'm out for an hour, an hour and a half a day.
03:14And you can use each of them just to pick up something as well, take a camera and make it, whatever.
03:19Dogs and a litter checker.
03:20Perfect.
03:21Well, absolute congratulations and well done for your recognition.
03:24Sandra Soap, everybody.
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