After disappointing first appearance last year, World Champion Nigel Richards on Sunday in Uyo added the Godswill Akpabio Scrabble Classics to the list of his conquests, flying back home with the handsome cash prize of $20,000 dollars for his troubles.

Topping the list of contenders in the Masters category, Nigel won 21 games out of the 28 played to rake up 1767 cumulative points.

Just as it happened last year, it was not an easy start for the world champion who got stiff opposition from Jighere Wellington and Olatunde Oduwole.

Wellington’s 807 points(19 wins and 8 losses ) could only earn him a second position, while Oduwole chalked up 739 points to place third after winning 19 matches and losing 8.

In the Intermediate category, Nigerians held sway brushing aside stiff opposition from Kenyan and Ghanaian challengers. The champion for this year is Ezinore George with 990 points after winning 20 matches and losing eight.

Evurodge George placed second while Etua Larry was third.

The keenly contested Open category was won by John Aiyedun while Adekunle Ayo placed second.

Excitement was the key word in the Veterans category crowned by Rotimi Odulele who pipped “home boy”Edet Aquaisua to the second position. Whereas Odulele won 22 games and lost only four for 1695 points, Aquaisua won 20 games lost six and garnered 1318 points. Third place went to Prince Majemite with 19 wins and 7 losses for 1067 points.