# Award Winning Play

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2007-03-29  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/champion.html

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## Analysis

Keith Elwin was crowned the IFPA's first-ever World's Greatest Pinball Player for 2006 based on WPPR rankings established in April 2005. The award was presented at the ASI show in Las Vegas in January 2007 by IFPA President Josh Sharpe and Directors Steve Epstein and Roger Sharpe. Elwin also held a substantial lead in early 2007 rankings with 482.75 points versus nearest challenger Trent Augenstein's 261.36 points.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Keith Elwin is the first recipient of the IFPA's 'World's Greatest Pinball Player' award for 2006 — _Official IFPA announcement; award based on WPPR points at end of calendar year_
- [HIGH] IFPA rankings were formed in April 2005 (described as 'last year' in March 2007 article) — _Article states 'following the formation of the IFPA's rankings in April last year'_
- [HIGH] Keith Elwin had 482.75 WPPR points in early 2007, substantially ahead of second-place Trent Augenstein with 261.36 points — _Specific point totals cited in article_
- [HIGH] Award announcement took place at ASI (Amusement Showcase International) show in Las Vegas — _Article states 'The presentation took place at the recent Amusement Showcase International (ASI) show in Las Vegas'_
- [HIGH] IFPA President is Josh Sharpe; Directors include Steve Epstein and Roger Sharpe — _Named as presenters of award at ASI event_

### Notable Quotes

> "The award is given to the player with the most WPPR points at the end of the calendar year"
> — **Article**
> _Establishes the objective criteria for the World's Greatest Pinball Player award_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Keith Elwin | person | First recipient of IFPA World's Greatest Pinball Player award for 2006; legendary pinball player with substantial WPPR lead in early 2007 |
| IFPA | organization | International Flipper Pinball Association; created WPPR rankings in April 2005 and established annual World's Greatest Pinball Player award |
| WPPR | product | World Pinball Player Rankings system created by IFPA in April 2005; basis for World's Greatest Pinball Player award |
| Josh Sharpe | person | IFPA President; presented first World's Greatest Pinball Player award to Keith Elwin at ASI show in Las Vegas |
| Roger Sharpe | person | IFPA Director; presented first World's Greatest Pinball Player award to Keith Elwin at ASI show in Las Vegas |
| Steve Epstein | person | IFPA Director; presented first World's Greatest Pinball Player award to Keith Elwin at ASI show in Las Vegas |
| Trent Augenstein | person | Second-ranked player in early 2007 WPPR standings with 261.36 points, substantially behind Keith Elwin's 482.75 |
| ASI | event | Amusement Showcase International show in Las Vegas where the first World's Greatest Pinball Player award was presented in January 2007 |

### Topics

- **Primary:** IFPA rankings and awards, Keith Elwin competitive dominance
- **Secondary:** WPPR point system, Industry events and shows

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article celebrates Keith Elwin's achievement and the establishment of a prestigious competitive award; straightforward, factual tone with celebratory framing

### Signals

- **[competitive_signal]** Keith Elwin established as dominant competitive force in early IFPA era with overwhelming point lead over nearest competitor (confidence: high) — 482.75 points vs. 261.36 for second place; 221+ point gap in early 2007

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## Transcript

Story dated: 29th March 2007

The IFPA have crowned Keith Elwin as

World's Greatest Pinball Player for 2006, the first ever recipient of the "

World's Greatest Pinball Player" accolade following the formation of the IFPA's rankings in April last year.

The award is given to the player with the most WPPR points at the end of the calendar year and Keith's victory was officially announced at the beginning of January when the previous month's scores were entered into the system.

The presentation took place at the recent Amusement Showcase International (ASI) show in Las Vegas where Keith was presented with a trophy by IFPA President Josh Sharpe and Directors Steve Epstein and Roger Sharpe.

Keith receives his award from (L-R) Roger Sharpe, Josh Sharpe and Steve Epstein

Keith is also has a substantial lead in the 2007 rankings so far, with 482.75 versus the nearest challenger Trent Augenstein with 261.36 points.

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_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: f3ebf7fc-d8f0-4986-a448-aa43cc7e6e3a*