KARACHI, Dec 9: Nigel Richards of New Zealand confirmed his status at the greatest scrabble player of all times by winning the 12th World Scrabble Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, on Monday.

According to the information received here, Richards also became the first player to retain his title which is the third world title of his career. No other play has ever won the world championship more than once.

Komol Panyasophonlert of Thailand almost pulled off a miracle when he beat Richards in the first two matches of the best-of-five finals but the ice cool Richards won the last three to take the tile, a trophy and a purse of US $10,000.

Poor Komol, who led the championship for a large part had to be contended with the second position and a US $5,000 cheque.

Earlier in the day the Cinderella story of Sammy Okosagah, a last chance qualifier, came to an abrupt end after being beaten 2-3 by Komol in the first semi-final while Richards routed Dave Wiegand of USA by a 3-0 scoreline in the other semi-final.