218 memory wizards fight their way to the top

Best 10 performers to represent India at world finale

Participants at the 9th Indian National Memory Championship organised by World Memory Sports Council for India in Hyderabad on Sunday.

From a five-year-old who knows abstract shapes like the back of his hand to a 69-year-old retired Army man with a penchant for numbers, 218 people from across India vied for the title of ‘world memory champion’ here on Sunday.

National Memory Council for India under the aegis of World Memory Sports Council organised the ninth edition of Indian National Memory Championship in Hyderabad. Top ten contestants of the championship are expected to be eligible to represent India at the World Memory Championship in Hong Kong this December.

Memory guru Francis Xavier inaugurated the event, which was conducted by Jayasimha, president of World Memory Sports Council for India, who is also Guinness record holder.

At the championship, children below the age of 12 and in the 13-17 age group, adults of 18 to 59-years and senior citizens above 60 years participated. They were tested in 10 disciplines of memorising names and faces, binary numbers, random numbers, abstract images, speed numbers, historic dates, random playing cards, random words, spoken numbers and speed cards. The winner will be awarded ₹10 lakh. Speaking to

The Hindu , Mr. Jayasimha said, “Memory exercises help children learn well in school. It also prevents ailments like dementia among the elderly.”

The results of the event were not declared till late in the evening.

International observer and chief arbiter of World Memory Sports Council, Phil Chambers supervised the competition.