In a thrilling showdown at the World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States claimed triumph, dashing Nigeria’s hopes of retaining their individual and team titles.
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The five-day competition at the world’s gaming capital witnessed intense battles among the finest Scrabble minds from around the globe, culminating in an exciting finale.
Former world champion, Wellington Jighere, had dominated the leaderboard for three consecutive days, but the final day proved to be his undoing.
A surprising turn of events saw him suffer back-to-back defeats in the last two rounds of matches.
First, he was defeated by the skillful Adam Logan of Canada, and then he fell short against David Eldar of Australia. These losses dropped Jighere to the fourth position in the final standings, a position he never anticipated after his initial display of prowess.
Consequently, Wellington Jighere’s dreams of featuring in the best-of-seven final were shattered.
Despite securing an impressive 22 wins out of 32 games, he could only watch from the sidelines as the top two contenders battled it out for the prestigious title.
In a captivating best-of-seven final, David Eldar, the former world champion from Australia, clashed with HarshanLamabadusuriya of England.
It was an intense face-off between two Scrabble virtuosos, and in the end, HarshanLamabadusuriya emerged victorious with one game more than Jighere’s tally.
David Eldar’s impressive 22 wins and a draw had propelled him to the final, but he couldn’t overcome the resilient Lamabadusuriya.
While Nigeria may not have secured the top spots this time, their representatives showcased their talent on the international stage.
Nsikak Solomon Etim finished as the 14th best player, Enoch Nwali secured the 17th position, TuoyoMayuku occupied the 25th spot, and Eta Karo held the 35th position, making them Nigeria’s top-performing player in the championship.
Ghana’s Charles HaizelTachie-Menson proved to be a force to be reckoned with, achieving an impressive rank at number 8. Meanwhile, Patrick MulemenaMpundu from Zambia claimed the distinction of being the best player from Southern Africa, finishing in the 65th position.
The U.S. team’s outstanding performance and victory on their home turf solidified their position as a Scrabble powerhouse.
As the curtains closed on WESPAC 2023, players and fans alike were left with unforgettable memories of an intense battle of words, strategic gameplay, and the spirit of sportsmanship that defines this beloved mind sport.
