Boy, 17, crowned America’s fastest texter

QUICK FINGERS: Contestants compete in an early round during the 6th Annual LG US National Texting Championship in New York in this Aug 8 firl photo. A 16-year-old boy retained his title as America's fastest texter in a duel of the thumbs. - AFP/Relaxnews

A 17-year-old boy retained his title as the fastest texter in the United States in a duel of thumbs staged before fans in New York’s Times Square.

Austin Weirschke took home US$50,000 (RM150,000) in prize money for the second time in two years when he bested 10 other texting demons in feats of thumb speed, memory and fluency in texting shorthand.