Bridge
16 July, 2026
"You've just won the 2026 Book of the Year": Mittagong bridge author earns top US honour
"You've just won the 2026 ABTA Book of the Year Award!" Those were the words that greeted Mittagong bridge author Rakesh Kumar after his latest book, 100 Bridge Tips for Club Players, was named the American Bridge Teachers' Association's 2026 Intermediate Book of the Year.
"You've just won the 2026 ABTA Book of the Year Award!"
Those were the words that greeted Mittagong bridge author Rakesh Kumar after his latest book, 100 Bridge Tips for Club Players, was named the American Bridge Teachers' Association's 2026 Intermediate Book of the Year.
The honour places Mr Kumar alongside some of the biggest names in the bridge world and recognises a book that has its origins in the Southern Highlands.
Mr Kumar said the award came completely out of the blue.
"I had no idea the publisher had submitted the book for consideration by the ABTA” he said.
The award was announced at the American Bridge Teachers' Association's annual convention in the United States, where Mr Kumar's publisher accepted the award on his behalf.
"The award was announced this evening at the banquet that ends the ABTA convention. I was there and accepted the award on your behalf. Your book will get a new Book of the Year logo on it," the publisher later told him.
Mr Kumar, who has written three previous books on bridge, said he was surprised to receive the accolade.
"I am somewhat bemused at having won. Firstly, because it was a complete surprise," he said.
"Secondly because I find myself among authors such as David Bird and Larry Cohen, household names among bridge players, who have been previous winners."
The award-winning book was largely built from material first written much closer to home.
"Most of the book was based upon the bridge columns that I regularly write for the Southern Highlands Bridge Club website," he said.
"I had about eight years' worth of material available to choose from."
He said he pitched the idea to his publisher, Master Point Press in Toronto, in August 2025.
"I put the proposal to the publisher in early August 2025 and when the idea of another book received an encouraging response, I got to work and had the manuscript ready for submission by early November.
"It therefore appeared in time for Christmas."
Mr Kumar, who lives in Mittagong and is a member of the Southern Highlands Bridge Club, has been playing tournament bridge since the 1980s and writing bridge columns since 2010. His book is available locally through Paul Lavings Bridge Books & Supplies in Wollongong.
Readers of The Southern Wire will also know him through the publication's bridge page, where he shares tips, tactics and analysis to help players of all skill levels improve their game.
Bridge has often been described as one of the world's most intellectually demanding card games. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova once called it "a cerebral sport", praising its emphasis on logic, reasoning, concentration and partnership skills.
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