World Scrabble Championship 2009

The 10th edition of the World Scrabble Championship is being held in Johor Bahru Malaysia, from 26–29 November 2009. Nigeria is represented by Jighere Wellington, Dennis Ikekeregor, Chinedu Okwelogu and Saidu Ayo. The tournament is covered on the WSC website and Nigeria's performance is covered here.

  • Le Meridien front view The Venue
    Front View of the venue Le Meridien Hotel
  • Cross section of players 2008 GA classics - Playing Area
    Cross section of players at last year's event.
  • Cultural display 2008 GA classics - Gala Nite
    Cultural display at the closing of last years event
  • Group Photograph with the Governor 2008 GA classics
    Players take a group photograph with the Governor
  • Gov. gives out prizes 2008 GA Classics -Winners
    The Governor presents a prize to Gen. Gold Eburu
  • Cross section of players 2008 GA Classics - Playing Arena
    Cross section photo of players slugging it out!
  • The trophies 2008 GA Classics - The Prizes
    The trophies won at last year's edition of the tournament
  • Cultural Dance at Gala Nite 2008 GA Classics -Gala Nite!
    More cultural show at the Gala Nite
  • Players 2008 GA Classics -Masters
    former Africa Champion Dennis Ikekeregor(right)
    and Rasheed Balogun
  • The winner 2008 GA Classics -The Champion
    The winner of last year's edition - Emmanuel Umujose

History and Nigeria's Performance

The 10th edition of the World Scrabble Championship is being held in Johor Bahru Malaysia, from 26–29 November 2009. Nigeria is represented by Jighere Wellington, Dennis Ikekeregor, Chinedu Okwelogu and Saidu Ayo. Nigeria's Jighere Wellington finished third at the last edition, Nigeria's best performance so far. 108 players from 39 countries are participating in the competition which also include defending champion Nigel Richards of New Zealand and the defending World Youth Scrabble Champion. 24 games will be played and the top two will play the final rounds (best of 5 games) to determine the world champion.

Tournament Update

After 24 games, defending champion Nigel Richards (New Zealand) and Pakorn Nemitrmansuk (Thailand) will play the best of 5 to determine the world champion. Update: Pakorn Nemitrmansuk of Thailand, has defeated defending World Scrabble Champion Nigel Richards of Malaysia in the best-of-five finals three games to one, 425-419, 670-303, 394-443 and 499-480 to become the 2009 World Scrabble champion. The slight-framed 34 year old architect won the top prize of 15 thousand dollars and a wild card to defend his title in 2011.

 

Nigeria's ambassadors did not make the top ten. After a blistering performance in the early rounds, Jighere Wellington could not maintain the tempo and eventually finished 11th after 24 games while Dennis Ikekeregor placed 16th, the duo being the only two Nigerians and Africans in the top 20. Ayo Seidu finished in the 24th position while Chinedu Okwelogu placed 68th. This is not exactly the best of performance by Nigeria's own standards but we congratulate our representatives nevertheless for a good tournament. The team however has won another slot for the best overall team performance, increasing Nigeria's slots to five in the next edition of the championship. The 2009 Causeway Challenge coming up between December 2nd to 6th provides another chance to fly the Nation's flag and do the country proud.

Results

Top twenty after 24 games

*Top two players played best of five to determine World Champion

  • 1. Pakorn Nemitrmansuk Thailand (18-6, +1388) World Champion*
  • 2. Nigel Richards New Zealand(18-6, +1854)*
  • 3. Dave Wiegand United States (17-7, +895)
  • 4. Marut Siriwangso Thailand (16-8, +1207)
  • 5. Komol Panyasophonlert Thailand (16-8, +1095)
  • 6. David Boys Canada (16-8, +876)
  • 7. Naween Fernando Australia (16-8, +842)
  • 8. Craig Beevers Eng (16-8, +777)
  • 9. Joel Wapnick Canada (15.5-8.5, +748)
  • 10. Helen Gipson Sotland (15-9, +883)
  • 11 Wellington Jighere Nigeria 15.0-9.0 +658
  • 12 Nathan Benedict United States 15.0-9.0 +634
  • 13 Sherwin Rodrigues India 15.0-9.0 +624
  • 14 Jason Katz-Brown United States 15.0-9.0 +608
  • 15 Andrew Fisher Australia 15.0-9.0 +533
  • 16 Dennis Ikekeregor Nigeria 15.0-9.0 +301
  • 17 Rik Kennedy Northern Ireland 15.0-9.0 -68
  • 18 Mikki Nicholson England 14.0-10.0 +880
  • 19 Mark Nyman England 14.0-10.0 +620
  • 20 Lewis Mackay England 14.0-10.0 +585

 

Full results on the WSC website.

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