Word Cup Day 2: Jighere stands atop an (extremely) crowded field

We're now just about halfway through the 2024 Word Cup main event - two days down, two and change to go. And that being the case, you might expect to have a race for the championship that's starting to take shape, at least a little bit.

Turns out - not so much.

Top Nigerian expert and former World Champion Wellington Jighere, one of the pre-tournament favorites, has opened up a lead after day 2. But it's a very slim lead, and there's a veritable horde of top players chasing close behind.

I mean, seriously. Check out these standings:

1. Wellington Jighere (10-4, +563)

2. Geoff Thevenot (9-5, +638)

3. Eta Karo (9-5, +588)

4. Jesse Day (9-5, +437)

5. Nsikak Etim (9-5, +412)

6. Evans Clinchy (9-5, +272)

7. Josh Sokol (9-5, +205)

8. Dave Wiegand (9-5, +193)

9. Winter (9-5, +183)

10. Joel Wapnick (8-6, +305)

Wellington appeared to be in a pretty commanding position earlier this afternoon, solidly ahead of the pack at 10-2. But after back-to-back close losses to end the day, one to Eta and one to Dave, Wellington has faded a bit, and there's now a wide-open race for the top spot.

That race resumes with seven more games tomorrow. Buckle up.