'Fed up': The story behind Russia No. 1 Ian Nepomniachtchi's tattoos
Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi discusses his tattoos and his participation in the Global Chess League held in Bengaluru. The article contrasts the traditional, formal dress codes of professional chess with the personal expression represented by his body art.
Why it matters
The intersection of personal identity and professional sports culture provides insight into the evolving norms of elite competitive environments.
BENGALURU: The word “tattoo” is believed to have come from Polynesian languages, particularly words such as "tatau", a term associated with traditional body art in that region. European sailors encountered Polynesian tattooing and helped carry the word back into European languages. Even thousands of years earlier, ancient Egyptians were already tattooing their bodies, with some of the earliest known examples found on female mummies. Researchers suggest that their markings may have served social, ritual or protective purposes.Millennia later, tattoos still carry stories.
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