After consecutive months with only 3-4% of competitors breaking the 70/80 barrier on very difficult sets, December proved to be something of a respite, with just under 10% of competition entrants scoring in the 70s. With 76/80 leading the panel, though, it was clearly not an easy set. We therefore herald this month’s solo winners, whose perfect 80/80 is his third such score this year…
Venkatesh Ramaratnam from India
Based in Bengaluru, India, Venkatesh took early retirement from the IT industry. He began playing 30+ years ago, and represented India in the World Junior Championships in the late 90s. He has subsequently won numerous national titles, and he has performed numerous roles including coach, commentator, director and administrator.
Also on the December Honour Roll, with a score of 79/80, are:
Mike Jackson from UK,
Julian Wightwick from UK, and
Nao Tabata from France
And, with a score of 78/80:
TW H Fok from Hong Kong
Venkatesh has won the monthly competition three times this year, which makes India the most successful country, with four wins or co-victories. The USA has three, Canada two. Nine other countries also produced a monthly winner or co-winner during 2025, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, UK, Netherlands, France, Greece and Spain.
Congratulations to all who broke the 60/80 barrier on this fairly tough set.
