14-year-old studied 200 Scrabble words a day and became world youth champion

A 14-year-old boy from Sri Lanka, Dineth Fernando, has become the world youth champion in Scrabble after studying 200 words a day. The Melbourne-based student, who recently relocated to Australia with his family, defeated approximately 140 competitors from around the globe in the recent World Youth Scrabble Championship held in Nairobi. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his rapidly growing career in the game. Fernando began playing Scrabble at school when he was eight years old. His interest in the game quickly developed into a deep passion, leading him to participate in the Sri Lankan national championships in both 2022 and 2024. After moving to Melbourne, he continued to refine his skills, making it a routine to study around 200 new words daily from the game's official dictionary. This rigorous training culminated in his victory at the Australian Youth Scrabble Championship earlier this month, which boosted his confidence to compete internationally. The competition in Nairobi proved to be a major challenge, but Fernando's dedication and hard work paid off. Winning the world title is especially meaningful for him as he continues to adapt to life in Australia. English, his second language, has become easier to grasp through Scrabble, helping him form friendships and feel more connected to his new community. Fernando's success is rooted in the competitive Scrabble culture that exists in Sri Lanka, similar to other South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Thailand. These nations have established school clubs and inter-school competitions that allow young players to develop their skills early. Coach Rashid Sudin, who has guided Fernando for several years, played a crucial role in shaping his abilities as a competitive player. Fernando's family made the difficult decision to move to Australia, driven by his father's professional opportunities. The journey to Nairobi for the championship was arduous, involving a 25-hour flight and additional uncertainties due to international tensions. Despite these challenges, the family chose to support Fernando's dream, and their investment has yielded remarkable results. Fernando's accomplishments highlight a potential gap in Australia's approach to fostering competitive games like Scrabble. While the game is present in some communities, it is not widely integrated into school curricula. Currently, only one Australian school, Cabramatta Public School in Sydney's southwest, includes Scrabble as part of its educational program. Other initiatives, such as gifted and talented programs in Victoria, offer Scrabble as an enrichment activity. Tony Hunt, president of the Youth Australia Scrabble Players Association, suggests that Scrabble could benefit more students by being incorporated into school education. He highlights the game's value in combining elements of sports with essential academic skills like literacy and numeracy. Fernando's journey exemplifies how a simple board game can bridge cultural and linguistic divides. With his achievements under his belt, he now looks forward to future goals beyond the game. His story serves as an inspiration to others, showing that perseverance and passion can lead to extraordinary outcomes.