Africa’s draughts Grand Master tips Goj to rule the world 'soon'
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 04.07.25. | 13:21
In 2024, Goj won the German Open Draughts and Checkers Championship in Korbach, Germany, amassing 23 points
National draughts champion Crispin ‘Goj’ Odhiambo has been tipped to challenge for the World title ‘soon’ after dominating the 2025 USA National Checkers Tournament, which concluded on Friday, 4 July.
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His exploits on his debut trip to the sought-after American tournament have tongues wagging with former world champion and Africa’s first grand master, South Africa’s Lubabalo Nicholas Kondlo, predicting a world title for the Kenyan ace.
“Goj is an exceptional talent. I see a future world champion in him,” Kondlo, whose match against Ron King in 2008 for the world champion title in the GAYP version was the subject of the documentary King Me, said.
In 2018, in Petal, Mississippi, US, Kondlo won the world title match in the GAYP version against defending champion Michele Borghetti. He lost the title on 30 April 2022 to Italian Matteo Bernini.
“I talked to him about coming to South Africa later this year. I will host him in my house, he'll eat what I eat and drink what I drink. Will organise a tournament just for him,” Kondlo continued.
In 2024, Goj won the German Open Draughts and Checkers Championship in Korbach, Germany, amassing 23 points. He defeated South African Grandmasters, including Kondlo and Melikaya Nonyukela, during the German Open.
The carpenter by profession has continued to dominate the local scene over the years.
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