In a groundbreaking achievement, Indian players Suyash Manchali and Madhav Gopal Kamath have made history at the World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC). At the 2024 championship held in Sri Lanka from September 6-8, 14-year-old Suyash Manchali and 13-year-old Madhav Gopal Kamath achieved remarkable success, securing second and fourth places, respectively. This marks the highest-ranking finish ever for India at the WYSC.
The tournament, organised by the World English-language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), brought together 136 players from 15 countries, competing for top honours. India’s strong representation was evident not only through Manchali and Kamath’s success but also with notable performances from other participants.
The Indian team, consisting of 13 players—nine boys and four girls—demonstrated exceptional skills at the championship. In addition to Manchali and Kamath’s impressive placements, other participants also achieved commendable results. Triambak Eashwar from Chennai secured 17th place, Aarush Jotwani from Mumbai finished in 20th place, and Ahana Goyal from Delhi took the 27th spot.
The Indian players’ achievements are a testament to their dedication and skill, reflecting the growing prominence of Indian players in the global Scrabble arena.
Suyash Manchali, a Class 10 student from MES Kishore Kendra Public School in Bengaluru, has been passionate about Scrabble since he was seven years old. His enthusiasm for the game was inspired by his mother, Shubha Shivashankar, who is also a dedicated Scrabble player and teacher. Together, they practice daily, refining their vocabulary and strategies. In this year’s competition, Suyash won 17 out of 24 rounds, using words like “dwam,” “cleated,” and “proxy” to boost his score. He recommends tools such as Quackle, Zyzzyva, Aerolith, and Woogles for practice.
Madhav Gopal Kamath, a Class 9 student from Sanskriti School in New Delhi, is currently India’s top-ranked youth player and ranks among the top five players in the country overall. Earlier this year, he made headlines by becoming the youngest player to win a major Scrabble tournament in India, the Goa Open.
Neeta Bhatia, India’s representative on the World Youth Scrabble Committee and coach of the Indian team, highlights that Scrabble is much more than a word game; it involves strategy, analysis, and even mathematics. For players looking to improve their skills, she recommends resources like the Collins Scrabble Word List.
Congratulations to Suyash Manchali for securing the title of Under-16 world champion, and to Madhav Gopal Kamath for his outstanding top-five finish. The entire Indian team deserves accolades for their exceptional representation on the global stage. Their achievements not only highlight their individual talents but also mark a significant milestone for Indian Scrabble players in international competitions.