TORONTO — Teen texters and tech-savvy young adults were all thumbs Monday as they nimbly fired off messages while competing to become the Canadian texting champion.

Kathy Spence from Toronto took home the $25,000 prize for deftly texting into the finals and eventually winning the grand prize at the 2nd annual LG Canadian Texting Championships at Dundas Square in downtown Toronto.

Holding a large cheque above her head, laughing and posing for photographs, the 16-year-old said she was still in shock after hearing her name boom over the speakers.

"I honestly wasn't expecting to win it, because I read my text message over and I was like, 'aw, man I had a mistake,' and then they're like 'Kathy Spence,"' she said, beaming, as she gripped the cheque, struggling to hold it as she answered questions on stage.

The winning message, typed in under 90 seconds with only one error, was "Of course you can say it backwards, which is Suoicodilaipxecitsiligarfilacrepus!"

Spence said her practice regimen consisted of sending about 200 text messages a day to friends and family, a training schedule that got her into trouble with her parents who preferred she focus more on her homework.

"I'm going to tell her I just got $25,000 for not listening to you," Spence said, laughing about what she was going to say to her mom now that she had won.

Earlier in the day, a raucous crowd held signs, cheered on their favourites and shook pompoms as competitors charged the red carpet onto the stage.

Competing in a game-show style format, three rounds of competitors were given a message to text, which popped up on a computer screen. To the sound of tense music, the texters had to write the text with perfect punctuation, no errors and in speedy time.

"It was really nerve-racking," said Tori Macken, 14, one of the finalists flown in from Vancouver to compete. Macken was scouted in a mall after representatives declared her to have one of the all-time fastest texting times in the province.

"I just texted my way here, I guess," said Macken, who added she was a little disappointed to lose after coming so close, but admitted a free trip to Toronto was a great consolation prize.

Macken only sends about 50 text messages a day. She had some simple advice for those trying to get into the championships.

"Exercise your thumbs," she said, smiling.

A much more sombre Amy Konecnik, 17, from Saskatoon, was disappointed. She had a second chance at winning in the finals, after initially being eliminated and then being brought back because the sun had made it impossible for her to see the message on the computer screen during the first match.

In fact, she was the first to send her text to the judges, but admitted there were probably several mistakes in her message.

The avid texter, who sends about 700 text messages a day, said she was well-prepared for the championship.

"I practise all the time, work, school and home," said Konecnik.

As for the winner, she promised her parents she would be sensible with the money and try not to splurge.

"School first, shoes later," said Spence, as she described how she plans to spend her money.

"I want to save for school, I'm pretty sure they (my parents) are going to make me save everything."