Scrabble: Bahrain's Bandarkar lifts world title

Bahrain's Akshay Bandarkar is the new winner of the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association Championships.

Bandarkar emerged victorious in a tense final against Nigeria's Peter Moses over the weekend in Nairobi.

The two triumphed over the 120 elite players who took part.

Under the watchful eye of tournament director Wilma Vialle, the duo exchanged leads in the final to tie 2-2 at lunch break.

Peter won the first round, but Akshay dug deep to even the scores 3-3, forcing a decisive seventh round, which he won, much to the delight of other players in the hall.

Defending champion Wellington Jighere of Nigeria finished fourth. Nigel Richards of New Zealand was third. [Phillip Orwa]