Thirteen-year-old Melbourne student Dineth Fernando has achieved a remarkable international breakthrough, winning the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi, Kenya. Having moved to Australia from Sri Lanka only six months earlier, Fernando overcame more than 130 competitors representing 15 countries during the three-day tournament, securing a title that marks a significant milestone in his young career.
Fernando’s victory also places him among a select group of Australian representatives to win the prestigious youth competition. He became the fourth Australian champion in the event’s history, following an intense campaign involving 24 games. His success came during his third attempt at the world championships, after earlier experiences helped him build confidence and refine his competitive approach.
His journey with Scrabble began in Sri Lanka when he was eight years old and joined a school club. The young player later competed extensively across the country and worked with a private coach to strengthen his skills. After his family relocated to Melbourne in February, Fernando continued competing and quickly established himself within Australia’s competitive Scrabble community.
His progress in Australia was rapid. Fernando finished runner-up at the Wodonga Open Scrabble Championship before winning the Ballarat Open Championship and subsequently claiming the Australian Youth Scrabble Championship. Scrabble Australia’s records also list him as the winner of this year’s national youth competition, demonstrating how quickly he adapted to the Australian competitive scene after arriving in the country.
At the Nairobi championship, Fernando had to manage the pressure of competing on the international stage while also dealing with the effects of travelling across time zones. He remained focused throughout more than 20 hours of competition, relying on preparation and concentration. His winning campaign featured several difficult word combinations, demonstrating his extensive vocabulary and ability to recognise scoring opportunities under pressure.
English is not Fernando’s first language, but he has not allowed that to become a barrier to success. He has explained that competitive Scrabble draws from words with origins across several languages, while experienced players also rely heavily on pattern recognition and strategic thinking. His disciplined preparation includes spending more than three hours each day studying words and practising the game.
Fernando’s father, Prasanna Fernando, described the championship result as difficult to believe given the strength of the international field. The teenager’s achievement has also attracted recognition from members of the Australian Scrabble community, including Scrabble Victoria secretary Carol Johnsen, who described him as an exceptionally strong competitor after facing him in previous matches.
Following his return to Melbourne after the long journey from Kenya, Fernando received a warm welcome from classmates and teachers. The young champion is already looking beyond his latest achievement, setting his sights on the 2027 competition. His ambition is particularly notable: he hopes to become the first youth champion to successfully defend the world title.
Fernando’s story has resonated beyond the Scrabble board, reflecting determination, adaptability and the opportunities available to young people building new lives in Australia. In just months after moving to Melbourne, he has progressed from a newcomer to an international champion. His achievement provides another inspiring example of young talent making its mark on Australia’s multicultural sporting and competitive landscape.
