Chirag Gupta
Patna: The 12th edition of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) witnessed a historic moment as Eric Agard, Crossword Editor at Apple News Plus, became the first international contestant to win seven out of ten online rounds. His exceptional performance has set a new benchmark and heightened anticipation for the upcoming Grand Finale in Bengaluru this December.
In the final weekly round, Agard secured first place, followed by Sowmya Ramkumar from Bahrain and Ramki Krishnan, a tech consultant from Chennai, who took third. Despite Agard’s dominance in individual rounds, Ramki leads the overall standings, showcasing consistent excellence throughout the competition.
The top performers in the final round included crossword enthusiasts from across the globe, with participants from the USA, India, Bahrain, and Dubai. The top ten scorers in the overall leaderboard represent a mix of Indian cities like Chennai, Secunderabad, and New Delhi, along with international contenders from Thailand and Bahrain.
As the contest prepares for its Grand Finale, the stakes remain high, with the finalists set to compete for the coveted title. The IXL continues to inspire and engage crossword lovers worldwide, celebrating both skill and passion for wordplay.
