Swede retains Memory World Cup crown

Von Essen, a 23-year-old student from Skövde in western Sweden, defeated German rival Simon Reinhard in a close contest in China. 

"It was incredibly even. I felt that it was necessary that I performed to the best of my ability," a jubilant von Essen told the Skaraborgs Allehanda newspaper.

In order to win the tournament Von Essen had his memory skills tested in ten different disciplines, ranging from binary numbers to random words.

Key to his overall victory was his win in the hour cards discipline in which he memorized 26 decks of cards.

He racked up the best cumulative score over the course of the four day event to retain his title, which he won last year in London.

"It was absolutely incredibly exciting until the very end. I managed to reach my absolute highest level and beat the points record. In this way the victory is even greater," added Von Essen.

In a double victory for Sweden the national squad landed the team event which was hailed as a "victory without equal" by team manager Idriz Zogaj.

Von Essen is currently ranked third in the overall memory world rankings but is expected to rocket up the list when the updated figures are released in the wake of his win.

In a 2012 interview with The Local he said that he trained his memory for up to four hours a day to prepare for competitions.

“People always ask me when I realized I had a good memory, but I tell them that I never did. It’s just a question of training. My memory was just like anyone else’s.”