Philip Koot of Canberra Dominates Practice Round in World Crossword Competition

Philip Koot from Canberra secured the top position in the practice round of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) 2025, marking the commencement of the global competition. The first of the 10 weekly scoring rounds is set to begin on Sunday, September 14th. Following Koot, Sohil Bhagat and Harish Kamath, both prominent crossword enthusiasts from Bengaluru, claimed second and third places respectively. The top 10 include three participants from Bengaluru and an equal number from Chennai. These individuals are well-known figures in the country's crossword scene. Soumya Ramkumar of Manama is another international competitor in the top 10, adding to the global appeal of the event.