36yr old Nigerian man, Wellington Jighere won the World Scrabble championship held in Perth, Australia. Wellington, from Delta state defeated Lewis Mackay of Cambridge, England, by 448 points to 426 to win the championship which was competed for by 450 players from around the world.
Jighere on the podium with his award
Jighere is the first Black African to win the Championship. The cash prize for the championship is $10,000.
Speaking to The Guradian UK, Jighere said “he has undergone fatigue training to mitigate the effects of jetlag, and forgone employment for the past four months to prepare for the championship.”
Game time: Jighere playing against one of his opponents at the world competition
He also said “It is the first time that an African has won in these world championships so I have to go and celebrate with them.”
“Nigel is still the master. It just happens that today was my day,’ Jighere said.
A board showing the championship game between Wellington Jighere and Lewis Mackay
After the competition, president Muhammadu Buhari put a call across to him to congratulate him.
Buhari said “I called to rejoice with you over your performance. You have done the country proud, and we are very happy. Please, pass my congratulations to other members of Team Nigeria,” President Buhari told Jighere.
Jighere and his team from Nigeria
Jighere was delighted by the phone call and pledged to bring more glory to Nigeria. The five other Nigerian representatives finished in the top 50 scrabble players in the world bracket. They were sponsored by the government.
Wellington Jighere is congratulated by his team after the win
Courtesy: http://www.sundayadelajablog.com/
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