avid takes down Goliath

Goliath was not so much a fearsome opponent as a formidable challenge, the challenge of proving his worth, so well known and celebrated locally, on the big international stage.

David Delicata (seen in photo) rose to this challenge in an impressive show of grit and strength to place 19th in the 119-player field of the WESPA Championship 2017, held in Nairobi, Kenya. 

By all accounts, Delicata produced a sparkling performance, leapfrogging twenty-six places from his ranking at the start of the tournament, breaking through the 1800 barrier with his improved international rating, and registering the best ever final placing, for himself and for Malta, in a World Scrabble Championship. 

An elated Delicata humbly confessed that his performance "was way past my expectations, and probably, my abilities too". Typical words from the runner-up Sportsperson of the Year.   

On the cusp of turning forty but with decades of playing experience behind him, the best of this vintage player is yet to come and with it, for sure, many more, in his own words, "amazing and unreal" Scrabble playing experiences. 

Delicata's participation in Nairobi was sponsored by SportMalta. 

(penned and published by Nicky Vella Laurenti)