The 2025 National Scrabble Championship held in Kakata, Margibi County over a competitive and high-energy weekend filled with breakout performances and champions returning home, was not only an opportunity to contest titles but also a chance to make history. A new champion rose: Joseph Gegeh.

Outlasting 27 of Liberia’s top Scrabble players, Gegeh didn’t just win. He made history. With 22 victories in 27 matches and a record-breaking 14-game winning streak, he became the face of a new generation of Scrabble stars in Liberia.

From the very beginning, the championship exuded a strong sense of competition and a strong nationalistic spirit, signifying that these champions were not just competing for themselves, but also aiming to establish Scrabble Liberia as a significant player on the African map.

Meet the 2025 Champion: Joseph Gegeh’s Rise to the Top

Joseph Gegeh is a name known to many—or at least, not unknown—on the relatively Scrabble championship roster. He had not been making waves, at least none that anyone really knew of, before this year. The calm, cool, collected, yet highly astute player is now well-known. His disciplined yet aggressive style of play elevates his game.

What truly set Gegeh apart this year was his 10-match winning streak on Day 1, which he followed with four more victories—smashing the previous record of 10 straight wins set by Gabriel Potter in 2021. He ended the tournament with a spread of +1930, a margin that speaks volumes about his control and scoring power.

“Winning this tournament is a dream. I’ve worked hard for this, and I’m grateful for the support from my peers and NASAL,” Gegeh said after his victory.

The Championship Format: How the Scrabble Battle Was Fought

Games were played under WESPA rules for official, strict competition at the highest level.

• Players: 28
• Games Played Per Player: 27
• Winner Determined By: Highest number of wins + highest positive excess in point spread

The venue in Kakata was buzzing with activity all weekend, with observers looking to get in on the edge of their seat action as challengers squared off. It was remarkable to see the strategy, and mental fortitude exerted by champions and beginners alike.

Full Results Recap: Who Impressed and Who Fell Short

In addition to Joseph Gegeh’s first-place finish, several other competitors had excellent showings.

Malek Sherif: The Consistent Contender

Last year’s runner-up, Malek, duplicated his 2024 performance with 17 wins and 10 losses and a +610 spread. The mere fact that he maintained such consistency attests to Malek’s position among the best Scrabble grandmasters in Liberia.

Ketlee Weah: Rising With a Vengeance

Tied for wins with Malek at 17 is Ketlee Weah, who placed high this year but not second (in fourth place, actually) due to a lower spread (+532). Entering such a high-pressure match was encouraging for Ketlee, who had come a long way since last year, plus she earned her spot in the 2025 African Scrabble Championship.

Last Year’s Champion Falls

Defending champion Lemuel Gibson struggled to find rhythm. With 15 wins and 12 defeats, he dropped to 8th place, sharing the same record as respected sports journalist Benjamin Garkpah, who finished 9th based on spread.

These results show a changing of the guard—where fresh talent is starting to push veterans and reshape Liberia’s Scrabble hierarchy.

Liberia’s ASC Dream Team: Ready for Continental Glory

Gegeh, Sherif, and Weah now have the chance to display their talents, reflecting the dreams of all of Liberia, in the 2025 African Scrabble Championship (ASC) sponsored by PANASA (Pan African Scrabble Association).

ASC is the largest Scrabble tournament in Africa. Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa participate. Liberia’s participation has grown stronger over the years, and this new trio is expected to be the most competitive team yet.

“We’re not just going to participate—we want to challenge the continent’s best and show Liberia can play with the top,” said NASAL spokesperson John T. Williams.

More Than Just a Game: The Cultural Impact of Scrabble in Liberia

Scrabble in Liberia isn’t just a game; it’s a culture.

Scrabble is played at schools and learned in the community to expand vocabulary, enhance mental faculties, and promote unity, leading to championship tournaments like the 2025 National Scrabble Championship with guests of honor and young heroes as champions reflecting cultural importance.

Behind the Scenes: Organizing the 2025 Edition

Chairman Fomba Swaray, who led the organizing team, called this year’s event “remarkable.” In his speech, he applauded the athletes for their sportsmanship and called on NASAL to continue expanding the game’s reach across counties.

Efforts are now underway to introduce more regional qualifiers, support youth development programs, and host training camps ahead of the ASC.

Words That Win: Liberia’s Scrabble Secrets

How does Gegeh always seem to get the better of his competitors on the board? Just some of the skills that separate the experts from the average:

• Learning mysterious two-letter and three-letter words
• Remembering what’s been played to guess what opponents will play next
• Dominating the board: utilizing triple word squares for one’s benefit while minimizing options for others
• Mental stamina: 27 games over two days is a mental marathon

It’s more about strategy, foresight, and psychoanalysis than luck.

What’s Next for Liberian Scrabble?

Following the 2025 National Scrabble Championship, the next championship on the calendar is the 2025 African Scrabble Championship. NASAL has assured training materials, sponsorships, and psychological training for Gegeh, Sherif, and Weah.

Meanwhile, discussions have already begun for establishing:

• County leagues
• School Mentorships with Youth
• 2026 Pre-Qualification Tournament for New Players

A Championship to Remember

The 2025 National Scrabble Championship resulted in a new champion for Liberia and a more cohesive national team, and all levels of word lovers were excited about Scrabble in their respective communities.

With record-setting numbers and community give-back and business sponsors all coming through and presenting themselves, Scrabble is here to stay. Liberia anticipates their arrival at the continental championships.