Melbourne Teen Dineth Fernando Wins 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship

Melbourne teenager Dineth Fernando has achieved a remarkable international victory, winning the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi, Kenya.

The 14-year-old, originally from Sri Lanka, defeated around 140 young competitors from across the world to claim the prestigious title, just over a year after moving to Australia.

Dineth’s success is the result of dedication and consistent practice. In preparation for the championship, he studied around 200 words every day from the official Scrabble dictionary, strengthening his vocabulary and competitive skills.

He discovered Scrabble at school at the age of eight and went on to compete in national competitions before winning the Australian Championship in July 2026.

English is Dineth’s second language, making his achievement even more impressive. Beyond Scrabble, he has a strong interest in mathematics and science and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

His proud father described the world title as feeling like a dream, celebrating his son’s determination and hard work.

Dineth’s remarkable journey from Sri Lanka to Australia and now to the world stage is an inspiring story of perseverance, talent and ambition, particularly for young Australians and migrant families.

Congratulations, Dineth Fernando, on an extraordinary achievement!