Editor’s note: The 20th World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) ran from 30 August to 1 September in Kuala Lumpur. Follow Ho Xuan Lei of Maris Stella pride as he walks you through every twist and turn of his incredible run: the jitters before Round 1, the knife-edge matches throughout the weekend, and the final push into the top 10… Congratulations, Xuan Lei, on your fine finish, and well done to the rest of Team SG for turning up in full force! To all the youth players reading this report, I hope you’ll be inspired by Xuan Lei’s heroics — maybe it’ll be your turn next year to place 7th or better!
The tournament officially kicked off at about 8.15 a.m. in the Sri KL International School hall, where rows of tables were neatly arranged under a canopy of country flags hanging proudly above us. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as teams from across the world — Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Thailand, and more — gathered for the opening ceremony.
We stood to attention as “Negaraku”, the Malaysian national anthem, was played, marking the formal start of the event. YB Hannah Yeoh, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, graced the ceremony as the Guest of Honour, and her presence added a real sense of prestige to the occasion. Her brief remarks on youth development and cross-cultural friendship through Scrabble struck a chord with everyone in the room.
There was a palpable mix of nerves and excitement among us. Before the first round began, we (the 9 of us in Team SG from Maris Stella High School) quickly squeezed in time to film a short reel, capturing our pre-game energy and camaraderie. It was a fun way to shake off the tension before diving into competition mode.
Just before the first game started, Scrabble Association President Ricky Purnomo gathered us for a short final briefing — covering tournament procedures, dispute-handling protocols, and reminders to stay composed and respectful under pressure. His calm guidance set the tone for the day ahead.
The hall soon quieted down as the arbiters called for Round 1. With score slips in hand and racks ready, the 2025 World Youth Scrabble Championship was officially underway!
GAME ONE VS. SYED MAAZ (PK08)
He opened with TWIG (16) while I held BDEIOST on my rack. I immediately spotted BODGIEST through the G, but after three minutes of hesitation, I chickened out and played the timid OB parallel to TWIG for just 15. I redeemed myself soon after by replying with INTENDS (89) to the left of his FAH, taking an early lead.
Syed responded strongly with AQUAE (77), JO (41), and HARM (50) following his bingo ITChING, swinging momentum back his way. I fought to stay in touch with natural bingoes LEAKIEST (66) and SERRATE (68), plus a ZA (46) and CLOVE to the triple for 47, but his steady scoring and tile control proved decisive. He sealed the win with an unblockable ANNELID (70) in the endgame, and I went down 442–467.
A sour opening-round loss — I led for more than half the game but got outbingoed in the end. Not quite the start I wanted to my WYSC campaign, especially after the stronger opening I had in 2024. That put me all the way at 127th right off the bat, and I found myself in an unfamiliar position to start with so far behind all the competitors. This was NOT at all part of my plan, and I could only hope against hope that the rest of the tournament would go smoothly from there. After all, I could only go up from rock bottom, right??
Myself: SSSKZ; Syed: SJQX??
GAME TWO VS. UDHEV PRASATH (LK05)
A familiar opponent — I’d faced Udhev at last year’s WYSC and edged out a narrow win then, so I knew this would be close. He started strong again, finding ORATION (79) early to take control of the board. A few turns later, I replied with IDEATION (68) through the floating I of his JAILOR, levelling the game and stabilising momentum.
The midgame was tight, with neither of us willing to risk major openings. I maintained a steady 20-point lead, focusing on positional play and efficient scoring instead of raw aggression. My patience paid off late in the game when I picked up D, M, S, S, S, blank, and dropped DiSMISS (78) to effectively shut the board and lock in the win.
Udhev tried to rally with an outbingo of FRESHEr (93), but it wasn’t enough to overcome the cushion I’d built — I eventually won 422–412, another narrow victory against him. Despite the relief of getting on the scoreboard, it didn’t feel entirely satisfying; I was only 1–1 after two rounds, and my spread was still negative.
Myself: SSSZ?; Udhev: SJKQX?
Intermission
Used this time to gather everyone at the photo-taking area, everyone also went to buy a pair of starboard racks – I’d wanted them for the longest time and decided to buy them there since they were selling 2 for RM22, or 1 for SGD3.5, pretty cheap compared to buying online in USD plus tax plus shipping. Used one of the racks for the rest of WYSC and lent Javier the other one.
Also had time to take this really cool flag photo with the 9 Marists in Team SG (plus Koen Ong from St. Hilda’s Primary who’s joining us in 2026 via Scrabble DSA.)
GAME FIVE VS. SACHIV PRASATH (LK08)
The rest of the afternoon had gone fairly smoothly — I’d managed to put together a three-game win streak after my shaky 1–1 start, and confidence was beginning to return. Then came Game 5, against a familiar face — Sachiv Prasath, the older brother of Udhev, whom I had also narrowly beaten back in 2024.
This time, however, he got his revenge. While I struck first with OVERSEe (74) to take an early lead, Sachiv responded with a relentless barrage of bingoes: GROANING (61), eRADIATE (66), and FANNIES (74), each perfectly timed to punish any opening I left behind. He also landed a clean ZERDA (39) in the midgame for good measure, steadily pulling away as the scoring tiles piled in his favour.
Despite my best efforts to close lanes and chip back, his rack control and board management were too strong this time. I went down 333–432, ending my short-lived streak and bringing me back to a 3–2 record. A humbling reminder that in Scrabble, even one imprecise setup can open the floodgates for a sharp opponent.
Myself: SJKX?; Sachiv: SSSQZ?
GAME SEVEN VS. KITTIDET PHOONONG (TH10)
After an uneventful Game 6 against Kingsly Kang (HK04) — where he seemed to draw every right tile at every right time to punish my openings and coasted to a comfortable 50-point win — I next faced Kittidet Phoonong from Thailand. I’ll admit, I underestimated him at first; I hadn’t seen his name anywhere in the youth circuit despite doing extensive pre-tournament research on potential opponents. That turned out to be a serious mistake.
From the opening rack, it was a slugfest. I struck first with TAENIAS (70), only for him to reply instantly with TEOPANS (78) through a tight lane. Later, I dropped SALTIRE (71), and he matched me again with RETINAE (73) — a relentless back-and-forth where neither of us could pull away. The midgame turned into a tense exchange of 20- to 30-point plays, each of us jostling for positional advantage on an increasingly tight board.
Then came the endgame twist. With me holding a slim 20-point lead, Kittidet unleashed VAX (39) to seize the advantage 344–325, and immediately followed with the brilliant overlap SLaNGED (29) alongside RETINAE as his play to empty the bag. I calculated that if we both played optimally from there, I would lose by 3 points. But then I noticed something: the master clock was winding down — and I still had nine minutes more than him.
Realising this, I made the strategic decision to wait it out. It was a risky but calculated choice — one that ultimately decided the game. When the dust settled, I’d somehow escaped with a 389–388 victory, winning by a single point!
It wasn’t my cleanest game, but it was undoubtedly my most intense one of the day — a test of both endurance and composure under pressure.
Myself: SSJQ?; Kittidet: SSKXZ?
GAME EIGHT VS. MISBAH UR REHMAN (PK10)
My final opponent of Day 1 was Misbah ur Rehman from Pakistan. It was a steady, evenly matched game from start to finish — neither of us pulled too far ahead, and the board stayed relatively open throughout. Both of us played solidly, trading midrange scores and keeping each other in check.
The deciding moment came late in the endgame, when Misbah made a costly blunder, allowing me to score just enough to edge ahead and secure a 394–371 win. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient — exactly what I needed to close out a long, exhausting first day of play.
That victory brought my Day 1 record to 5–3 (+145 spread), placing me 64th overall. It definitely wasn’t the explosive start I’d hoped for, but given how the day began, I was content with the recovery. From sitting 127th after Game 1 to climbing into the top 70 by the end of the day, I’d effectively halved my position, which fit perfectly with my steady, calculated approach.
My plan was always to go slow and steady — consistent performance over brilliance. If I could keep halving my ranking each day, I knew I’d eventually break into the top 10.
As for the rest of Team Singapore, spirits were high. Javier and Poh Yee were still ahead of me in the standings, with Tristen and Jeremy not far behind. All in all, it was a smooth first day for us — especially for the first-timers, who handled the nerves and pace admirably. I couldn’t have been prouder of how everyone represented their schools and country.
End of Day 1: 5–3 (+145 spread), Rank: 64th
End-of-day Team dinner – MSHS table 😎
Everyone getting competitive over snatch while waiting for our food…
Afterwards I sparred with Shi Heng until 11.40 at night… 🥲
DAY 2 – GAME NINE VS. TRISTEN TAN (SG06)
Day 2 began with a twist I hadn’t quite expected — I was matched up against my own teammate and countryman, Tristen Tan. Tristen had been on a solid run on Day 1, finishing 5-3 and right behind me in the standings, even notching a win against Adheesha Dissanayake, a two-time WYSC runner-up whom I’d lost to in 2024. Knowing this, I reminded myself not to underestimate him — he was in excellent form, and this was going to be a battle of familiarity and composure.
The game began with Tristen trying BUP*, which I immediately challenged off. From there, the board developed slowly as we both struggled to draw good tiles. My early racks — DLNRUVW and DINRRW? — offered little offensive potential, and I was forced to score small and stay patient. Tristen seized the first major breakthrough with BASINET (80), but I countered sharply with a Z-bomb of ZA for 64 to stay in range.
The middle game saw both of us trading solid midrange plays — Tristen’s MOTHY (47) and COAX (35) were answered by my AXIOMS (45), JIRRE (44), and PEW (37). It was a tactical grind more than an explosive showdown, with both of us relying on tile management and board control rather than flashy bingoes.
In the end, I managed to edge ahead and hold the lead, as Tristen struggled with an awkward endgame rack. The final score stood at 396–351, a respectable margin in what was otherwise a quiet, methodical game.
It wasn’t the all-out, high-scoring clash I’d expected between teammates, but it was a good start to Day 2 — solid, controlled, and steady, just the way I wanted to keep my momentum going.
Myself: JZ??, Tristen: SSSSKQX
You can see I added a talisman under my rack here for luck… I was terrified.
I broke the top 25 after round 11, and finally had my first eventful matchup of the day in the best female youth player in WYSC 2023, Ahana Goyal. I was starting to tread into familiar territory, and from here on would definitely be a minefield of tough matches. (as shown in the picture on the right, my resignation after fighting tooth and nail to finally reach the first row – just to have to dig my heels deeper in the sand and slog harder.)
At this point, Javier was still cruising ahead of me at 18th, so I was quite confident that we could maintain Singapore’s chances of putting 2 players in the top 10 compared to only myself in 2024.
GAME 13 VS. AHANA GOYAL (IND)
Game 13 brought me up against Ahana Goyal from India, the best U18 female youth player at WYSC 2023 in Thailand. I started first and immediately got off to a strong lead, capitalising on the E of WEAVE she floated to play PRETeNDS (61) — an 8-letter bingo that gave me an early 60-point cushion.
Ahana, however, responded in true Indian Scrabble fashion — bold, aggressive, and unafraid to open the board. Two turns later, she struck back with DINEROS (79) on the opposite side, despite several safer options being available. It was the kind of risk-oriented play I’d anticipated from the Indian contingent — prioritising scoring and fluidity over positional restraint, a style that often leads to high-scoring shootouts.
I managed to swing the momentum back almost instantly with one of my most daring plays of the tournament — STIcKINGS, placed neatly between the two existing S tiles from PRETENDS and DINEROS. It was a tight fit and, frankly, the only viable bingo left on the board. When she challenged it and the word came back valid, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief — that single play effectively secured my positional advantage.
The rest of the game was an exchange of medium scores: her QADI (45), WEAVER/RYU (34), and ZOA (39) were matched by my CRAY (31), HIN (34), and FEU (26). The endgame turned into a small war of nerves on the right side of the board, as we both tested possible hooks after ZOA — several of her attempts were challenged off, tipping the balance further in my favour.
I eventually sealed the win 405–364, a controlled performance that combined tactical restraint with just enough aggression to keep up with Ahana’s open-board strategy.
Myself: SSK? ; Ahana: SSJXQZ?
GAME 14 VS. JOSIAH LEON RAPHA (MY01)
This was one of my most anticipated matchups of my tournament — Singapore’s top seed (SG01) facing Malaysia’s top seed (MY01). I had long done my research on Josiah Leon Rapha, knowing he was a seasoned competitor who had played in both the 2023 and 2024 WYSCs as well as numerous Malaysian domestic events. I’d even come across his Woogles account months before and studied his playstyle — steady, calculated, and defensively solid, much like my own. I knew this would be a slugfest between two methodical players.
I opened with DONEE, unable to connect my bingo-prone rack. We exchanged a series of low-scoring plays before Josiah drew first blood with DECEASeS (64) through the E of DONEE. He then unleashed a sharp two-punch follow-up of QIN (39) and REZ (48), edging ahead despite my own counter-bingo of TAURINE (73).
The midgame remained tight — neither of us willing to risk opening lanes — but Josiah managed to pull slightly ahead again with STAGGeR (68). I knew I’d need both patience and precision to claw back, and thankfully, the endgame gave me just the opportunity I needed.
Josiah blundered by playing FOXIER (18), throwing away the X with little positional gain. I instantly spotted a reply — REMIT (38) parallel to it — and he challenged it unsuccessfully. From there, it became a calculated race to the finish: his YEA (29) met with my CROFT (33), and I outed cleanly with APO (16) to edge past him by a whisker.
Final score: 372–369, a nail-biter that saw me trailing for most of the game but holding firm under pressure. It was a truly well-fought battle between two players of similar discipline and temperament — a mental war of endurance as much as one of tiles.
Myself: SJ? ; Josiah: SSSKXQZ?
Me and Jeremy recovering from the mental strain of the intense first 5 rounds of Day 2.
GAME 17 VS. NATHATHAI CHAOWALIT (THAILAND)
After a few more uneventful games, my final opponent of the day was Nathathai Chaowalit from Thailand — a new face I hadn’t encountered in any of my prior research. Though unfamiliar, I reminded myself not to underestimate her; breaking into the top 20 of WYSC is no small feat, and every player at this stage was a serious contender.
The earlygame was evenly matched as we traded balanced scores back and forth, neither of us opening up the board recklessly. I finally managed to break the deadlock with GOONIER (75), pulling slightly ahead. The midgame turned into a tense battle of small but calculated plays — my BIDS (38) and TOADY (27) were swiftly countered by her REEF (35) and LIB (21), maintaining the tight margin between us.
An exchange midgame gave me the fresh tiles I needed, and I pounced on the opportunity with LISTERS (77), and drew AAEILN? To my great surprise right after, giving me AkENIAL for 76 – resulting in the steep turning point of the match. That bingo solidified my lead, and even though Nathathai managed an outbingo of CONVEnED (84), it was too late to overturn the deficit.
Final score: 418–388, a controlled and confident finish to cap off Day 2.
Myself: SSSSJ?? ; Nathathai: KQXZ
At the end of Day 2, I’d climbed from 64th of 218 to a solid 16th, a quarter of my ranking at the start of the day, with Javier at 15th right in front of me and only 4 players with more wins than us. I figured that if Javier and I could hold on for the crucial last day, we would be able to smoothly sail into the top 10 as planned. The hopes of Singapore rested on our shoulders now, and it was nice to share this burden with my CCA mate of 3 years (and current classmate), compared to when I had to shoulder it alone in 2024.
Maris Stella – in high spirits heading into Day 3…
DAY 3 – GAME EIGHTEEN VS. VYASA DHEVA (MY09)
The final day of the World Youth Scrabble Championships began with the matchup I least wanted but somehow expected — against Malaysia’s team captain, Vyasa Dheva. Our history was long and competitive: we’d clashed in a ridiculous eight-peat (!) at the Gateway @ KLIA2 Airport Tournament late last year, where I eventually edged him 5–3 to take the third-place trophy. Facing him again here at WYSC felt both inevitable and ironic — a rematch between two familiar rivals who respected each other deeply.
Despite the weight of our shared past, we shook hands with genuine warmth, like old friends reunited. I was well-acquainted with Vyasa’s precise yet unpredictable style, both from direct experience and from studying his games on Woogles. So it didn’t surprise me when he opened aggressively with WAIVERS (84) — even pausing to apologise as he placed it. I just laughed it off and immediately fired back with ELOIGNED (86) down the triple lane to keep things level.
But the fireworks weren’t over — Vyasa instantly replied with FARINOSE (71) through the S of WAIVERS, striking a devastating early-game blow. The board was exploding with openings, and I thought I was doomed when he inadvertently blocked my planned ISOToNIC through the O of ELOIGNED. Then, as if by divine mercy, I spotted DICTIONS reaching the bottom-right triple, a lifeline that clawed me back into contention.
He steadied his lead with YAK (31), while I drew ADEEGLO — seeing EnGAOLED through the N of ELOIGNED but chickening out, unsure if the past tense was valid (I’d only studied ENGAOLS). I chose the safe AGED (44) instead, which kept me afloat for a while until Vyasa struck again with DOMAINES (90), a clean double-double that blew the game wide open.
Then came the turning point — or rather, the unraveling. I misread the blank tile as an E instead of an O, (DEMAINES is also valid and I’d studied it as well), and I played FULLER/RO*, which was promptly challenged off. Moments later, I forgot again about the blank’s true identity, watching helplessly as Vyasa played POX/”XED” (actually XOD*) and AH/”HEXED”/ABODE (actually HEXOD*), while I was too flustered to react.
From there, the momentum was gone. He drew perfectly, closing out the board with steady scoring plays, and I fell 401–554.
It was a tough loss, but also a fitting showdown between two players who’ve shared as many laughs as bingos. If anything, it reminded me why I love this game — the precision, the psychology, and the friendships built through fierce rivalry.
Myself: SSZ; Vyasa: ??SSKQX
DAY 3 – GAME TWENTY-TWO VS. BILAL ASHER
The rest of the final day was largely uneventful, but my Round 22 matchup against Bilal Asher from Pakistan stood out as one of the highlights — even though I ended up losing that game. Bilal, the reigning U14 world champion at the time and now the U16 runner-up, eventually finished 6th overall, just one place above me in the final standings. I’d been looking forward to facing him ever since WYSC 2024, knowing how talented and composed he was on the board.
I went into the game with a clear plan: keep the board as closed as possible to limit his bingo options. I started with FLUX (28), but Bilal immediately replied with FEZ (35). With a rack of AEIOORV, I followed up with VOX (14) to dump my clunky tiles early. He answered with GUV (7), which initially helped me tighten up the board, but my next move — BEAR (10) — completely backfired. I’d forgotten it took an A-hook in front, and Bilal pounced instantly with CANTERS (81) for a crushing early lead.
He followed up soon after with TONSURES, another bingo that left me reeling. My tile draws just couldn’t connect, and desperation began to set in. I tried a risky TINNERY* to the triple lane, but it was promptly challenged off, deepening the deficit. At one point, he was up 321–140, and I knew a comeback was nearly impossible. Still, I decided to fight back patiently — putting down NITERY (47), QI (34), and MAIMS (57) to chip away at the lead.
As the endgame approached, I found myself with DEITTU? on my rack and only one open lane — the floating P of PUH. After some thought, I spotted both INPUTTED and TITTUPED for around 75 points. But in a moment of self-doubt, I questioned their validity and chose not to risk opening an I beside the left triple when tiles still remained in the bag. That hesitation cost me dearly; Bilal closed the game out with calm precision, and I fell 336–443.
It was a disappointing result, especially because this game was winnable with more confidence and caution. Still, I came away from it respecting Bilal even more — his composure and control were truly impressive, and I knew he’d continue to be one of the top youth players to watch (and to compete against) in years to come.
Myself: ?SSKQX; Bilal: ?SSZ
DAY 3 – GAME TWENTY-FOUR VS. KRISSANAPONG CHANCHOTSATHIEN (TH05)
The final highlight of the day — and of the entire WYSC 2025 — was my last game, Round 24 against Krissanapong Chanchotsathien from Thailand. Since Round 22, I’d been hovering around the bottom edge of the top 10 — 9th, then 10th heading into this deciding round. I knew this was the highest-stakes game I’d play all tournament.
I’d been praying not to face any of the big guns still in contention — Bilal Asher, Affan Salman, Ahmed Salman, and others — so I felt a surge of relief when I saw I’d been paired with Krissanapong. The next closest Singaporeans, Tristen and Javier, were sitting around 40th–50th, so I knew I was carrying Team Singapore’s hopes on my shoulders once again — just like I had in 2024.
Krissanapong, meanwhile, had his own motivation. Having finished just outside the top 10 in both 2023 and 2024, this was his final year in Youth Scrabble and his last chance to leave a mark flying the Thai flag. We’d met twice before — I’d won one game solidly and lost the other narrowly after failing to challenge a phony — so I knew it’d be close. Despite starting second, I was feeling calm and ready.
He opened with WHORE (30), which admittedly gave me a jolt. But my clunky-looking rack of EGNOUV? soon transformed into gold — I spotted OVERhUNG (106), a double-double through the H of WHORE. The word drew a challenge, but it held, and the room seemed to freeze for a second as the validation popped up.
He replied with JOW (36), which I countered with CODEX (37) to maintain tempo. By midgame, even after his brave bingo of ENABLERS (83) — which he wasn’t sure of but played anyway — I was still up by around 40 points thanks to steady scoring turns. Then came a scare when he played MIZ (67) to snatch back a tiny lead, but divine timing smiled on me once again.
I unleashed a two-punch knockout: SEITANS (69) followed immediately by QUBIT (72), capitalising on the I of RICIER that he’d just opened up. That swung the game completely in my favour. He fought back with CATTIEST (68) — which I challenged, just to be sure — but it stood. Finally, I closed the game with GRATER (28) and efficient tile turnover, clinching a 456–422 win.
Both of us were trembling throughout the match, rising from our seats after nearly every move to challenge or verify words. It was a nerve-wracking but beautifully played battle from both sides — one of those games where mutual respect shone through every exchange. Krissanapong was understandably dejected after the loss, and I did my best to comfort him. I knew exactly how it felt — that could easily have been me. When all was said and done, I’d knocked him down to 16th place, and I’d ended the tournament at my highest rank of 7th. It was a bittersweet moment, truly, as it dawned on me that only one of us could have made it out of that match victorious – in which the winner would take it all.
Myself: ?SSQX; Krissanapong: ?SSKZ
Closing Reflections:
It was a fitting end to an unforgettable WYSC run — one filled with ups and downs, tough lessons, and moments of absolute magic. From the nerve-racking opening ceremony in the Sri KL International School hall to the final handshake of Round 24, every moment reminded me why I fell in love with Scrabble in the first place. This year’s competition tested not just my vocabulary or strategy, but my composure, patience, and mental endurance.
Despite a rocky start and moments of doubt, I’m proud of how I managed to claw my way back — from 127th after the first game to fighting for a top-10 finish by the final day. Each game taught me something new: the importance of trusting my instincts, of staying calm when the board turns against me, and of never underestimating any opponent. Watching my teammates grow, adapt, and fight alongside me was equally inspiring — proof that Singapore’s youth Scrabble scene has an incredibly bright future.
As the tournament came to a close, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude — for the friendships forged, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. Though I didn’t climb as high as I’d initially hoped to, I walked away with something far more valuable: experience, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the game that continues to shape me. WYSC 2025 will always be a milestone in my Scrabble journey — one I’ll look back on not with regret, but with pride and purpose.
Fortunate enough to share the stage with 9 of the world’s best youth players yet again, winning not one, but two awards (7th overall and 3rd U16, 210 USD in total)
Flying the Singapore flag on stage, something I didn’t do in WYSC 2024 (we didn’t have a big flag) – shouted “Majulah Singapura!” on stage. WESPA Rating also increased to 1760, and I was finally non-provisional so I was 352nd in the world!
Never imagined my junior Shi Heng would win the high game trophy of all people… Really proud to have coached my juniors Keith, Gregory, Jeremy, Samuel and Shi Heng over the past year and having them play alongside me on the world stage. Never thought all this would be possible, so grateful for all the opportunities I got and the people who supported me along the way.
— Ho Xuan Lei