Archive · 7 Oct 2026
India Takes Second Place at 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship
India sent 11 young Scrabble players to a world tournament in Nairobi.
The tournament was for players under 18 and ended on August 9, 2026.
India finished second among the teams and won the Runner’s Up Trophy.
Suyash Manchali came third among all players, with 18 wins.
Madhav Gopal Kamath came fifth with 16.5 wins.
Ahana Goyal and Samarth Manchali also finished in the top 20.
Samarth came second in the under-14 category.
Players from 136 competitors and more than 25 countries took part.
The team was guided by manager and mentor Neeta Bhatia.
India’s 11-player team finished second in the team rankings at the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi.
Suyash Manchali placed third overall with 18 wins, while defending champion Madhav Gopal Kamath finished fifth with 16.5 wins.
Ahana Goyal placed 16th, and Samarth Manchali placed 17th and finished second in the under-14 category.
The championship concluded on August 9 and included 136 players from more than 25 countries.
The Indian squad was managed and mentored by Neeta Bhatia.
- Who
- An 11-player Indian team, managed and mentored by Neeta Bhatia.
- What
- India finished second in the team rankings at the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship.
- When
- The championship concluded on August 9, 2026.
- Where
- Nairobi.
- Why
- The articles report the results but do not state a specific reason for India’s performance.
- Indian team size
- 11 players: six boys and five girls
- Team result
- Second place; Runner’s Up Trophy in the Best Team category
- Overall field
- 136 players from more than 25 countries
- Suyash Manchali
- Third overall with 18 wins, the joint-highest win total
- Madhav Gopal Kamath
- Fifth overall with 16.5 wins
- Samarth Manchali
- 17th overall and second in the under-14 category
- Manager and mentor
- Neeta Bhatia