New Zealand's Nigel Richards wins French Scrabble crown

Nigel Richards won the English-language Scrabble world championship in 2007 and 2011

The French-language Scrabble world championship has been won by a New Zealander who does not speak a word of French, competition organisers say.

Nigel Richards defeated a rival from French-speaking Gabon in the final in Louvain, Belgium, on Monday.

Mr Richards is said to have memorised an entire French Scrabble dictionary in nine weeks earlier this year.

A previous English Scrabble champion, he originates from Christchurch, New Zealand, and is now based in Malaysia.

He beat Gabon's Schelick Ilagou Rekawe two games to nil in Monday's final.