African Champion Timilehin Doko again re-asserted his status as the no.1 player even at the national level when he defeated Africa Youth Champion David Ojih in a winner-takes-all final round on Table 1, 480-475 to record 14 wins and 4 losses with 1077 cumulative points to pick the 5th Janet Adowei Scrabble Championship in Lagos.
Interestingly, the final day opened with Day One leader Joseph Okere losing his precious position as he tumbled after five successive defeats which extinguished any hope of solidifying his status.
There were constant frenetic reshuffling at the top as Doko dug in his heels, Abdulmumin Jimoh pushed for more points while Ojih crept into the equation.
In the final 18th round, it was indeed an evening of eye-catching scrabble showdown as the carousel threw up Doko and Ojih as the top-two contending players for the title.
Both Word-Warriors took to Table 1 for the top prize of 750,000 naira knowing a little mistake could be costly.
At the end, it was Doko the African champion who pulled his weight, tact and experience to narrowly edge Ojih on cumulative points of +1077 to +971 to claim the title after they both recorded 14 wins, same as Jimoh who came third with a cumulative points of +658.
Ojih earned 450,000 naira while Jimoh got 350,000. Prizes were shared to all top 15 players.
The matches on Table was streamed to a global live audience on YouTube.
In the best Intermediate category, Okere won the level while Khaleel Adedeji and Sunday Ituah came second and third.
Policeman James Eteng was rated as the best Opens player while Isidore Emoavwoyan and Awonusi Peter ranked second and third.
Dokun Esan was rated as the Best Veteran player while Adebisi Adekansi emerged as the Best Female.
Engr. Ebikeme Adowei who created the JAMSC in honour of his mother commended all participants for their attendance as he emphasised on the need to grow the game to an enviable height.
Nigeria Scrabble Federation President Olobatoke Aka during an interview was full of praise for the former Lekki Scrabble Club President whose commitment and support for the game has been astounding.
The tournament attracted top and new players from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta, Kaduna States including 14-year-old Sophia Ekeruche.
