Spoilers for Friday 20 January 2023 - The 16th Championship of Champions Grand Final

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 12:17 am

This is it, then. After 14 wins out of 14, James Haughton and Ahmed Mohamed vie to not only leave as the unvanquished Champion of Champions, but as the 7th contestant to achieve the Grand Slam: that is, Octochamp, Series Champion and Champion of Champions.

It is the first CoC final since the 11th event, from the 24th of January 2003, to be contested between two unbeaten players. In that final, Graham Nash just beat Chris Wills 79 - 73! At this standard, I doubt the scoreline will be as low as that, but who knows?

It’s taken 4 years to answer the question: who will succeed Zarte Siempre as Countdown’s next Grand Slammer? We’ll find out who that will be today.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:37 am

After this one, we get to force one person from every Championship of Champions back for a Championship of Championships of Champions. Bring them to a nightclub in Ibiza and broadcast it live.

Andres Sanchez · Post by **Andres Sanchez** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:59 am

Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:37 am After this one, we get to force one person from every Championship of Champions back for a Championship of Championships of Champions. Bring them to a nightclub in Ibiza and broadcast it live.

God if we got Mark Nyman back...

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:13 am

When we get the 8th one there should be a knock out competition to find the ultimate champion.
Assuming all 8 are still alive

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:42 am

Whoever digs deepest on the day is gonna win. Great telly either way.

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:12 pm

The host could at least wear a suit for the occasion. And why is the guest wearing… a dressing down?!

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:26 pm

I got AIRBAG, but BRAVURA is fantastic.

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:34 pm

What a final!!!

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:36 pm

I think Ahmed’s being found out here. Not over yet though.

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:55 pm

Epic final! Incredibly unlucky James – but still one of the all-time finest game show contestants, let alone Countdown!

Ahmed Mohamed - you rock, dude!! You are the man!!!

Ryan Lam · Post by **Ryan Lam** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:04 pm

What an incredible end after three weeks, man I've got loads to talk about here in the coming hours. Congratulations to Ahmed for that incredible comeback first, and well-played James too! Both of you have been brilliant in your own ways!

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:12 pm

Our hearts were all pulsatile for that one!

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:22 pm

By the way, six correct conundrum solves across the whole championship, and half were by Ahmed. Outside of the preliminaries they were all Ahmed

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:28 pm

This, for me, has been the exceptional Championship of Champions, because of all the contestants who took part – all wonderful people and all great and dedicated players.

That was a great final to watch. It might not have ended with centuries (I wonder if the fact that they were going for the Grand Slam added even more pressure and affected consistency – some finals are like that) but they’ve both been evenly matched throughout.

And I was right: it was down to the conundrum (the easiest of the CoC IMO as it’s quite high probability in letters games – too easy, actually) and not the numbers as Rachel thought in the last show. James pulled a rabbit out of the hat on a couple of letters rounds, but missing WANDERER was pivotal as well. The weirdest words aren’t always the right words in this game.

Some interesting pickings deployed by players throughout the whole tournament, but it’s picking the best answers that count. It was fantastic to see both players really digging deep. In the end, the conundrum mattered, and Ahmed got there first. In fact, the best conundrum solver won, going by the stat Johnny aforementioned. From an Apterite’s POV, I found Ahmed’s conundrums the easiest TBH, but it still demonstrates the power of really knowing and spotting the words instantly. A thrilling end to an amazing championship.

I think, also, the 4-year gap between the last two CoCs (not 5, Mr Murray) has proven to be more worthwhile than a 3-year gap and should be maintained.

Tom S · Post by **Tom S** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:38 pm

What a cracker of a game! Some brilliant games this tournament- in particular, from this week. A fitting way to end an entertaining few weeks of Countdown!

James- considering I knew how anxious you were before recording about trying to do yourself justice, you have every right to leave with your head held high. Cracking performances throughout- especially under the pressure that your opponents were putting you under!

Ahmed- A very worthy winner- I doubt that many of the players would have betted against you before the tournament started. Some insane ability demonstrated over the past few weeks, and I hope that Team Countdown have you on stand-by if Susie Dent ever needs sickness cover!

Thanks to Team Countdown for letting me play a part in it all!

Tom

Fiona T · Post by **Fiona T** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:57 pm

The whole thing has been phenomenal. I genuinely feel quite emotional! Honoured to have been included, albeit on the periphery.

Couldn't have asked for more from a final - what a nailbiter!

Ahmed is such a deserved winner, and such a humble player and lovely and interesting man - so happy for his success! Huge congratulations to you - enjoy it!

Delighted for Dan and James too - both put in phenomenal performances to ensure Ahmed really earned his crown - brilliant stuff from both of you.

All the players played with good grace and the atmosphere in the studio and hospitality room was one of friendship and support - it really was a pleasure to be there with you all!

Countdown Team · Post by **Countdown Team** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:34 pm

Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:12 pm The host could at least wear a suit for the occasion. And why is the guest wearing… a dressing down?!

Is a 'dressing down' a gown made from duck feathers? And why should the host wear a suit when it isn't 1980 any more? Really Philip.

Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:36 pm I think Ahmed’s being found out here. Not over yet though.

Found out for what? Being in the top 3 all-time Countdowners ever? Of course. Really Really Philip.

Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:28 pm From an Apterite’s POV, I found Ahmed’s conundrums the easiest TBH

Pretty sure all his opponents were/are Apterites also. Oh please Philip.

Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:28 pm it was down to the conundrum (the easiest of the CoC IMO as it’s quite high probability in letters games – too easy, actually

Too easy and all the others were too hard. Gotta love it Philip

Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:22 pm By the way, six correct conundrum solves across the whole championship, and half were by Ahmed. Outside of the preliminaries they were all Ahmed

His were clearly the easiest......

Tom S wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:38 pm Thanks to Team Countdown for letting me play a part in it all!

Tom

Thank YOU for being an absolute delight and powerhouse.

Adam S Latchford · Post by **Adam S Latchford** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:08 pm

Magical final to top off a magical series.

Loved everyone I met, it was an absolute joy and privilege to sit as the fraud amongst the legends for this.

Ahmed you were amazing - you solved 3 cons compared to the other 15 players 3.

James - a truly top performance in the final. This was absolutely the deserved final between the two players who played the best countdown during it.

Ahmed vs conor in countdowns first ever mocktorun please

Thanks

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:12 pm

Ahmed and James the two standout player of the competition and they didn't fail to deliver. Great Job guys. Commiserations to James, but big congrats to Ahmed so proud of you man.

Conundrums have been exquisite and they are in the end what proved Ahmed to be on the next level.

Was also not a huge fan of Rik's top, but I don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to TV fashion choices

Thanks to everybody involved in providing 3 weeks of great entertainment! I don't think there will ever be another CoC as good as this.

Steve Hyde · Post by **Steve Hyde** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:17 pm

Best CoC ever for my money, though admittedly I haven't watched one since Graham Nash won. Honoured to have been a small part of it

Jojo Apollo · Post by **Jojo Apollo** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:35 pm

Wow wow wow! What a final, incredible final chaps.

I thought James had it there but amazing Ahmed pulls it out of the bag and does it again.

Many congrats Ahmed on joining the immortals of Countdown and very well done James on becoming C of C runner-up.

Well done to all the C of C contestants taking part, I haven't enjoyed a series as much since the 30th anniversary shows. Hopefully we won't have to wait as long for the next C of C.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:13 pm

Follow that!!
Did I mention I'm on next Monday

But seriously.
Fantastic final and congrats to all players and presenters.
Colin clearly is the main man and deserves a higher profile time slot.
Come on Channel 4 you know it makes sense.
Coincidentally my hours at work have changed and I don't finish until 2 now
Thank god for C4 +1

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:51 pm

SOUPIER
WANDERER
643, although I was interrupted by the doorbell = (75 - 50) x 25 + 9 x 2
viagra x (risk, but it was that or a 3)
FLOATING
171 = 25 x 7 - 4
COATS
stabhead x (it was that or a 5)
292 = ((100 - 1 - 1) x 75 - 50) / 25
HAIRNETS
UNTWIST (risk)
GLAMS
REJOINED
643, two completely different ways
nope

I lost 49-102 to James and 56-113 to Ahmed, better than I thought I'd do...

Also my dad still thinks he knows better than the dictionary - "how is glasnost in the dictionary, it's a foreign word..."

Ronan M Higginson · Post by **Ronan M Higginson** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:00 pm

Brilliant stuff.

Countdown Team wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:34 pm
Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:12 pm The host could at least wear a suit for the occasion. And why is the guest wearing… a dressing down?!
Is a 'dressing down' a gown made from duck feathers? And why should the host wear a suit when it isn't 1980 any more? Really Philip.

Exactly. I wish you would stop complaining, the host/guest can wear whatever they want

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:04 pm

What does Colin know about Supreme Championship III / a special that the rest of us don't??

The next SC, if you can get all the properly good players who missed 30BC as well as all those who were top players S68-whenever, will be bloody amazing... mind you I suspect loadsa people will want to see a Conor/Ahmed special now. Certainly they're two of the greatest players in the modern (post-RW) era.

Steve Hyde · Post by **Steve Hyde** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:13 pm

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:04 pm I suspect loadsa people will want to see a Conor/Ahmed special now. Certainly they're two of the greatest players in the modern (post-RW) era.

Are special episodes a thing any more? I thought they mostly existed to fill gaps in the schedule caused by C4 televising sporting events, which they don't really do these days.

Anyway, roll on the 50th birthday championships

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:39 pm

Just caught up with this. Great game and both players were great throughout the tournament. It was more of a pub brawl with the players taking lumps out of each other than the clinical match between Ahmed and Dan in the semis. Good to watch though. And though it wasn't Ahmed's best game, he showed he was capable of coming back into it.

By the way, in the BRAVURA round, there was quite a gettable 5 - GARBA using the classic GRAB + A stem.

Anyway, Ahmed is definitely one of the all-time greats now and I might look at my top 10 list again and update it sometime.

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:45 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:39 pm Just caught up with this. Great game and both players were great throughout the tournament. It was more of a pub brawl with the players taking lumps out of each other than the clinical match between Ahmed and Dan in the semis. Good to watch though. And though it wasn't Ahmed's best game, he showed he was capable of coming back into it.

By the way, in the BRAVURA round, there was quite a gettable 5 - GARBA using the classic GRAB + A stem.

Anyway, Ahmed is definitely one of the all-time greats now and I might look at my top 10 list again and update it sometime.

Agree with all that. I had AIRBAG in the BRAVURA round but it was a tricky set.

Thomas Cappleman · Post by **Thomas Cappleman** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:07 pm

Excellent game both - always nice to have some back and forth to keep things interesting. Insanely good conundrum performance Ahmed. And lovely solve on the 290 James - I'd gone the same way as I assume Ahmed did, taking the 1s off the wrong large number. The numbers have been fairly flat through the tournament, so nice to get a good one there.

L'oisleatch McGraw · Post by **L'oisleatch McGraw** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:35 pm

Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 12:17 am who will succeed Zarte Siempre as Countdown’s next Grand Slammer?

There'll always be an asterisk after Zarte's name though, as he failed to achieve even Octochampdom at the first time of asking.

Toby McDonald · Post by **Toby McDonald** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:10 am

What a final! Incredible performance from both of you. Huge congratulations Ahmed, very well deserved winner. Great comeback as well; the pressure obviously didn't get to you after falling behind, so props to you for that. And commiserations James, you played brilliantly throughout the tournament, and to get 14 up on Ahmed at one point was very impressive. Some lovely spots from both as well, like WANDERER from Ahmed and BRAVURA from James. BRAVURA very apt for this game.

R6 LNAFP: 4*6*7+3 = 171

Overall, a fantastic tournament, so very well done to everyone who took part.

Ian Fitzpatrick · Post by **Ian Fitzpatrick** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:39 am

What a great game, both played incredibly well. A bit of a lacklustre ending to the programme though, I thought. Colin didn't even talk to James at the end (maybe he wasn't in a fit state!?) and no presentation of the trophy! Good to see it wasn't always being referred to as a piece of Kryptonite

Philip A · Post by **Philip A** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:08 pm

Ian Fitzpatrick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:39 am What a great game, both played incredibly well. A bit of a lacklustre ending to the programme though, I thought. Colin didn't even talk to James at the end (maybe he wasn't in a fit state!?) and no presentation of the trophy! Good to see it wasn't always being referred to as a piece of Kryptonite

I could be wrong, but I don’t think a single CoC has ever actually presented the trophy. I agree this should be done at the end though.

Graeme Cole · Post by **Graeme Cole** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:58 pm

Very close back-and-forth game which you don't see often, especially in a final. Congratulations to Ahmed on the well-deserved victory, especially winning it on the conundrum in a competition with conundrums of that difficulty level. Congratulations also to James for playing a great tournament to finish a close second.

Colin Murray has been excellent. I particularly noticed that in Adam's game against Tom, with Adam 1 point behind in round 13, he picked up on Adam deliberately offering his risky 8 rather than match Tom with a safe 7, correctly noting that was the right strategy because with two 10-point rounds left there's not much difference between being 1 behind and 8 behind, compared to the possibility of taking the lead. That reasoning isn't necessarily obvious even to people who play the game. You need to have a good knowledge of Countdown to pick up on that, and Colin did.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 2:31 pm

Steve Hyde wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:13 pm
Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:04 pm I suspect loadsa people will want to see a Conor/Ahmed special now. Certainly they're two of the greatest players in the modern (post-RW) era.
Are special episodes a thing any more? I thought they mostly existed to fill gaps in the schedule caused by C4 televising sporting events, which they don't really do these days.

Anyway, roll on the 50th birthday championships

We've got the 8000th edition coming up (probably already filmed) and we had a special play-off for 1000 and 1500, so you never know.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:44 pm

This was a great CoC. Some really spicy games and some high quality performances. Agree that Colin and the DC guests elevated it as well. I liked the conundrums. I didn't like that there were a lot of "safe" numbers picking.

Congrats Ahmed - a worthy winner.

Countdown Team · Post by **Countdown Team** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 12:22 am

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:44 pm I didn't like that there were a lot of "safe" numbers picking.

Easy to say when you're the Countdown boss of numbers. Unsurpassed but you still owe me £20

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 8:29 am

"safe number" picking got me thinking that if increasing the conundrum difficulty level is par for the course for CofC matches, how about a random numbers pick generator so 1 large can't be an obvious round 14 tactic if you are 11 in front after round 13

Tom S · Post by **Tom S** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 12:22 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:44 pm This was a great CoC. Some really spicy games and some high quality performances. Agree that Colin and the DC guests elevated it as well. I liked the conundrums. I didn't like that there were a lot of "safe" numbers picking.

Congrats Ahmed - a worthy winner.

I think the reason why there were plenty of 1 large/2 large picks was not because it was a player's "go-to", but in reality, many of the players had predetermined their numbers choices against particular opponents, and I know that some were "too scared" to go for anything other than 1 or 2L because they rated their opponent's numbers skills.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 2:15 pm

Tom S wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 12:22 pm
Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:44 pm This was a great CoC. Some really spicy games and some high quality performances. Agree that Colin and the DC guests elevated it as well. I liked the conundrums. I didn't like that there were a lot of "safe" numbers picking.

Congrats Ahmed - a worthy winner.
I think the reason why there were plenty of 1 large/2 large picks was not because it was a player's "go-to", but in reality, many of the players had predetermined their numbers choices against particular opponents, and I know that some were "too scared" to go for anything other than 1 or 2L because they rated their opponent's numbers skills.

Yes, that's what it felt like. But if both players are doing that in the same game, then surely one of them must be making a tactical mistake? I don't actually know how much that happened, but it felt like a few times.

I also think when you get to a certain level of 0/3/4 large that even though you would expect more variance, that it could be safer "round 14 when leading by 10-20" pick than 1L. Again this is something that could probably be analysed empirically. I'd bet £20 that I am right though!

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 2:32 pm

Double or quits. Exciting.

Adam S Latchford · Post by **Adam S Latchford** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 2:39 pm

The two big risks of risky numbers pic vs competent player at numbers absolutely backfired in this tournament - not surprising people struggled to pull the trigger on going risky. Against 10 of the 15 players I wouldnt have played safe personally - happened to play two I felt safe was best

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 3:46 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 2:15 pm
Tom S wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 12:22 pm
Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:44 pm This was a great CoC. Some really spicy games and some high quality performances. Agree that Colin and the DC guests elevated it as well. I liked the conundrums. I didn't like that there were a lot of "safe" numbers picking.

Congrats Ahmed - a worthy winner.
I think the reason why there were plenty of 1 large/2 large picks was not because it was a player's "go-to", but in reality, many of the players had predetermined their numbers choices against particular opponents, and I know that some were "too scared" to go for anything other than 1 or 2L because they rated their opponent's numbers skills.
Yes, that's what it felt like. But if both players are doing that in the same game, then surely one of them must be making a tactical mistake? I don't actually know how much that happened, but it felt like a few times.

I also think when you get to a certain level of 0/3/4 large that even though you would expect more variance, that it could be safer "round 14 when leading by 10-20" pick than 1L. Again this is something that could probably be analysed empirically. I'd bet £20 that I am right though!

Completely agree, it felt like many of the contestants were better letters players than numbers, especially since the dictionary just exploded into a discount OED a few years ago and some absolute rubbish is now in the book, so people have just gone and tried to learn all the silly words and let numbers slip as a result.

I've been agreeing with Jono a lot recently. This is not normal.

Ryan Lam · Post by **Ryan Lam** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:12 pm

It's Sunday, more than 48 hours after this show first aired, and the comments still keep coming non-stop! So I guess I'll put up mine before I forget! A Grand Slam winner awaits us after 20 years given this is the first time in that long since there is a 100% guarantee a Series Champion and Xicount will take the title today. Also Colin, the fact that you keep mentioning the last Championship of Champions was five years ago when it was four really annoys some people (like me!). I seriously hope that you don't get flagged up for spreading "fake news" because of this!

Moving on, the last two contestants, James Haughton and Ahmed Mohamed, and if you were here in January 2019, it's the same thing in the Introduction, Rachel referencing the last 14 episodes of the Championship and the contestants as well, so pretty much of a coincidence I guess. Time to play as we determine who has been the greatest player of the last seven Series!

Letters: Good start with ESPOUSER by both in R1 (I would have risked respouse which is invalid), but then, James takes an early step back with remander disallowed (Yeah, I know it's one of those words that sound like it's valid!)

After the first Teaser, Ahmed wants to risk a five but James risks a seven with BRAVURA and it's in, meaning he takes the lead!!

Things didn't get better for Ahmed when James had ABATISED in R8 to open the gap even wider!

However, Ahmed doesn't give up, and after the final Origins of Words in the Championship, he spots MAGILUS to come back within striking distance of the coveted trophy!

The last letters round comes with both of them having REJOINED, the letters round closes off amazingly with Ahmed hoping a manageable R14 would force a crucial conundrum...

Numbers: James, sensing tough opposition today, reverts back to his 4 Large style in R3 to try and make up for lost ground, but it didn't help him as Ahmed was one away too. On the other hand, Ahmed still goes for his 1 Large and hopes for his favourite "25". Yay, it comes out in R6, but booooo, it's too easy until my face fell flat. The penultimate Numbers Round in R9, and James wants to throw Ahmed off. "Uh oh", as Rachel exclaims with two "1"s, and it does the trick with the former gaining more points and putting Ahmed into his worst position yet in his televised appearances! Damn, this is something. Finally, the last numbers round came, and for the last time, Ahmed doesn't want to risk anything and hopes a crucial conundrum comes his way. It does as both get the target straight on, leading us to the only outcome now...a tense ending!

Conundrum: The last Championship of Champions, Zarte Siempre won easily against Bradley Horrocks without forcing a crucial, but this time round, this is the fight to the death. If no one gets it or James has the answer first, he wins. If Ahmed has the answer first, he wins. The clock ticks, and I see Ahmed buzzing in. He says PULSATILE, and YES, "HE'S DONE IT!!" screamed Colin. By the cheers that followed immediately after, you can tell there was an audience who was spectating (Fiona did mention her, Phil Hulme and Adam Beach were part of that), and backstage, the reaction was "lit" as Adam put it on the Daily Chat too. The dramatic comeback that Ahmed has done, and given the fact that he solved half of the six solved conundrums in this entire Championship says a lot about him as he is officially, the 16th Champion of the Championship of Champions after a tense 35 minute game!!

What a game that was, especially that last-minute incredible comeback by Ahmed! Commiserations James, you led for most of the way, only for your chance at being crowned the Champion dashed at the very last round

However, you have been an excellent player. Being the last Grand Champion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic means a lot especially since it made me reminisce the days before the virus uprooted all of our lives. Rachel mentioned before handing you over the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy in December 2019, you are the "Human Dictionary and Human Calculator". Indeed, you still are three years later and putting Ahmed into such a vulnerable position during the match (even denying him a century!) is something not many people can truly say they have done so! All the best in the rest of your career as Dr. James Haughton might I say too and may you never stop thinking about Maths in your daily life too!

As for Ahmed, what can I say? Well-played all round, and you did prove Rachel right by winning eventually and of course, making her proud. Your wide range of vocabulary has astounded many viewers alike and like I mentioned two years ago, it's ok if you don't know all the definitions (although I personally prefer it so that I know what I'm writing or saying

), you knew the words existed, are valid and that was what pulled you over the line especially in tougher matches like today's one. It's ok if you don't like extreme numbers combinations, playing safe is an option and no one can question or blame you for your tactics, and that's what made you safely through to the end. Despite ending the match on a low in terms of your scores overall, you've done it by sealing your place as one of the most successful contestants in the recent history of the show! You will always be remembered as someone whose words will always make people be in awe of your abilities, letters and conundrums, and you've truly deserved your place in history!

Finally, I'd like to end off by giving thanks to each and every one of the 16 contestants together with the reserved contestants for this Championship. To the former group, no matter how long ago your shows were aired, be it pre-pandemic, pandemic or endemic, all of you still played like pros on-screen. Thank you for giving us so much fun amidst the competitive atmosphere for the last three weeks and it's nice to see how some of you have moved on in life after your initial appearances. All of you were brilliant in each of your own unique ways, and may you never stop playing Countdown, for I'm sure all of you have forged unforgettable friendships be it within this Championship, online on Apterous or offline. May those friendships last a lifetime, and nevermind that 15 of you lost, the fact you made it here shows you are part of the cream of the crop and you should be proud of yourselves! Give yourselves a pat on the back! To the latter group, while you may not have had a chance to be seen on television again, you have been excellent in giving many of these contestants moral and mental support and I'm sure they would have appreciated your efforts cheering them on in the background. Overall, I hoped that all of you have those precious memories from the three days of filming between 07 and 09 November 2022, for I'm sure this is a Championship that will never be forgotten for a very, very long time to come. Series 87 starts proper on Monday, 23 January 2023 with our incumbent five-time winner Peter Burke returning, and this will mark the start of the search for the next 16 contestants for the Championship of Champions XVII!

Progress:
Preliminary 1 (02 January 2023): Florence Cappleman-Lynes (Series 84 Runner-Up) vs Leo Smith (Series 82 Semi-Finalist) (100 - 69)
Preliminary 2 (03 January 2023): Dinos Sfyris (Series 80 Grand Champion) vs Elliott Mellor (Series 80 Runner-Up) (88 - 110)
Preliminary 3 (04 January 2023): Ahmed Mohamed (Series 84 Grand Champion) vs Edward Byrne (Series 86 Runner-Up) (121 - 76)
Preliminary 4 (05 January 2023): Stu Harkness (Series 84 Semi-Finalist) vs James Haughton (Series 81 Grand Champion) (97 - 111)
Preliminary 5 (06 January 2023): Tom Stevenson (Series 86 Grand Champion) vs Adam Latchford (Series 83 Grand Champion) (95 - 97)
Preliminary 6 (09 January 2023): Martin May (Series 79 Runner-Up) vs Luke-Johnson Davies (Series 82 Grand Champion) (90 - 117)
Preliminary 7 (10 January 2023): Steve Hyde (Series 85 Semi-Finalist) vs Dan Byrom (Series 85 Grand Champion) (70 - 108)
Preliminary 8 (11 January 2023): Matt O'Connor (Series 85 Runner-Up) vs Sam Cappleman-Lynes (Series 82 Runner-Up) (78 - 101)
Quarter-Finals 1 (12 January 2023): Florence Cappleman-Lynes (Preliminary 1 Winner) vs Sam Cappleman-Lynes (Preliminary 8 Winner) (95 - 93)
Quarter-Finals 2 (13 January 2023): Elliott Mellor (Preliminary 2 Winner) vs Dan Byrom (Preliminary 7 Winner) (102 - 106)
Quarter-Finals 3 (16 January 2023): Ahmed Mohamed (Preliminary 3 Winner) vs Luke Johnson-Davies (Preliminary 6 Winner) (132 - 100)
Quarter-Finals 4 (17 January 2023): James Haughton (Preliminary 4 Winner) vs Adam Latchford (Preliminary 5 Winner) (109 - 102)
Semi-Finals 1 (18 January 2023): Florence Cappleman-Lynes (Quarter-Finals 1 Winner) vs James Haughton (Quarter-Finals 4 Winner) (91 - 100)
Semi-Finals 2 (19 January 2023): Dan Byrom (Quarter-Finals 2 Winner) vs Ahmed Mohamed (Quarter-Finals 3 Winner) (111 - 121)
Championship Final (20 January 2023): James Haughton (Semi-Finals 1 Winner) vs Ahmed Mohamed (Semi-Finals 2 Winner) (96 - 99)

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:37 pm

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:35 pm
Philip A wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 12:17 am who will succeed Zarte Siempre as Countdown’s next Grand Slammer?
There'll always be an asterisk after Zarte's name though, as he failed to achieve even Octochampdom at the first time of asking.

I do get this, but he did have the misfortune of coming up against Dylan Taylor.

Tracey Anne Mills · Post by **Tracey Anne Mills** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:15 am

Andres Sanchez wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:59 am
Johnny Canuck wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:37 am After this one, we get to force one person from every Championship of Champions back for a Championship of Championships of Champions. Bring them to a nightclub in Ibiza and broadcast it live.
God if we got Mark Nyman back...

That is if he interested in making a countdown comeback, but I am uncertain about the whereabouts of the other COC's like Harvey Freeman.

Tracey Anne Mills · Post by **Tracey Anne Mills** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:19 am

A fabulous contest all round and well played to you both !

Howie Myers · Post by **Howie Myers** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 5:51 am

Just saw this, and it was a truly magnificent game, to round off a brilliant coc.
Thanks to all who were involved, congrats to Ahmad, and commiserations to James.