Durrand emerges World Youth Scrabble Champion
Jack Durrand of United Kingdom emerged champion at the 10th World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) by winning 20 games of a possible which ended at the BMICH recently.
The 10th World Youth Scrabble Championships organized by the World English Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) saw the participation of contestants from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA and Sri Lanka.
The WYSC hosted by the Colombo Scrabble League (CLS) was the last in a series of tournaments organized by the CLS in commemoration of their 25th anniversary which coincided with Colombo Scrabble Festival that preceded with the Sri Lanka scrabble national championship held a week earlier.
The WYSC held exclusively for the Under 18’s comprising of 24 games played over three days saw some stiff competition among the young and enthusiastic participants numbering over 120.
Durrand led the field all the way from the first day when he won all the eight games on day which put the other participants under tremendous pressure. The lead was too much for others as Durrand finished off the third and final day to end up as an easy winner.
World Youth Scrabble Champion Jack Durrand of United Kingdom receiving the trophy from chief guest Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo.
Singapore’s trio Yong Jian Rong who secured the second slot along with Victor Gwee and Poh Ying Ming who both secured the fourth and eighth place clinched the best team award just ahead of Pakistan and host Sri Lanka.
Lewis Hawkins the sole participant from New Zealand who managed a seventh overall bagged the awards for champion in the Under 12 and Under 14 age group as well as the encouragement award that was on offer.
Sri Lanka’s best performer was Gayanath Chandrasena who was placed sixth clinched the award for the ‘Best Novice’ and also the prize for the highest word score.
Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo graced the occasion as the chief guest who gave away the awards to the winners. -MSA
| Results:
Champions – Under 10 – Minuki Satharasinghe (Qatar). Under 12 – Lewis Hawkins (New Zealand). Under 14 – Lewis Hawkins (New Zealand). Under 16 – Jack Durrand (United Kingdom). Encouragement Award – Lewis Hawkins (New Zealand). High Game – Rahul Kapur (United Arab Emirates). High Word – Gayanath Chandrasena (Sri Lanka) and Abhijit Pradhan (India). Best Novice – Gayanath Chandrasena (Sri Lanka). |