Indian-American Faizan Zaki wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee
13-year-old Faizan Zaki of Dallas, Texas, won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee by accurately spelling the difficult French word "claircissement" in an exciting climax that had the audience on the edge of their seats. His significant victory included the coveted Scripps Cup trophy, a commemorative medal, and a $50,000 cash reward.Faizan, a seventh-grader at C.M. Rice Middle School, started his spelling journey at the age of 7. What began as a fun family activity quickly turned into a serious passion. 'He just enjoys learning new words,' said his mother, Arshia Quadri. 'It's something that came naturally to him.'advertisementHis father, Zaki Anwar, recalled, 'We just wanted him to enjoy the experience of competing at the bee. If he could spell a few words and achieve a few rounds, that would be great. But this is amazing!'A Special Year For The Bee
This year's spelling bee was especially significant, marking its 100th anniversary. The competition saw 243 participants aged 8 to 14 from around the world gather at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 27 to 30. Only nine made it to the final round.Faizan spelled his winning word in the 21st round. As confetti rained down, he dropped to the floor in disbelief, living the moment. 'I'm going to be having nightmares about that tonight,' he said, still overwhelmed by the victory.Fourth Time's The CharmadvertisementThis was Faizan's fourth time participating in the national bee. Last year, he was narrowly defeated in a tiebreaker round by his friend, Bruhat Soma, who jokingly said, 'I think he cared too much about his aura.'Proud of his son's achievement, Faizan's father called him 'the GOAT,' adding, 'He's been doing this for years. He knows the dictionary like the back of his hand.'Faizan's win not only highlights his love for words but also inspires countless young spellers chasing the same dream.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
What is ‘Éclaircissement'? See how a Texas teen's perfect spelling sealed the Scripps National Spelling Bee!
See how a Texas teen's perfect spelling sealed the Scripps National Spelling Bee In a nail-biting final that showcased both linguistic mastery and emotional resilience, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki of Allen, Texas, emerged victorious at the 97th Scripps National Spelling Bee, held on May 29, 2024. This remarkable win came just a year after Zaki's second-place finish in the 2023 Bee, positioning him among a rare group of comeback champions. The event, hosted just outside Washington, D.C., captivated viewers with unexpected turns, high-pressure moments, and a showcase of America's brightest young spellers. With a flawless rendering of the word 'éclaircissement' in the championship round, Zaki secured the coveted title and the $52,500 top prize. But the road to victory was far from straightforward. How a rare rule saved Faizan Zaki's chance at the championship The final round featured eight exceptional spellers, all of whom had advanced through rigorous rounds of competition. Among them were Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane, both of whom had built strong reputations throughout the preliminary rounds. During one of the pivotal rounds, Zaki was presented with the word 'commelina', a genus of flowering plants. In a moment of misstep, he began spelling it incorrectly, getting the first three letters wrong before halting himself. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo According to the rules, prematurely attempting a word usually results in disqualification. However, head judge Mary Brooks determined that Zaki's answer was incomplete, and allowed the round to end without penalizing him fully. This rare decision reset the competition, bringing back Sarvadnya and Sarv for another attempt. Unfortunately, both were eliminated in subsequent rounds, while Zaki recovered with striking composure. His focus in the final stages proved unshakable, culminating in his championship-winning performance. How Faizan Zaki joined the elite club of Spelling Bee comeback winners Faizan Zaki now joins an elite circle of spelling bee participants who've managed to return from a near-win to ultimately take home the title. He is only the fifth contestant in the Bee's nearly century-long history to achieve this feat and the first since Sean Conley in 2001. In 2023, Zaki had narrowly lost to Bruhat Soma in a 'spell-off' lightning round — a format introduced to break ties with speed-based spelling. Despite the disappointment, Zaki continued to train rigorously, using his previous experience as motivation. His perseverance not only earned him the championship but brought his total spelling bee earnings to $77,500, including the $25,000 runner-up prize from the previous year. When asked how he used part of his previous winnings, Zaki shared that he had purchased a $1,500 Rubik's Cube with 21 squares per side, underscoring his fascination with intellectual challenges and puzzles. What is Éclaircissement Zaki's winning word — 'éclaircissement' — is a French-derived noun that means 'clarification' or 'an enlightening explanation.' Its use in the final round added an extra layer of difficulty, not only due to its French origin and spelling nuances but also because of its relatively rare usage in everyday English. Zaki's swift and confident delivery of the correct spelling demonstrated both his phonetic precision and his deep familiarity with language etymology. Honoring the past and looking ahead The 2024 competition also marked a significant milestone in the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 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Winners often gain not just prize money, but national recognition, academic opportunities, and scholarships. The grand prize package, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, includes: $50,000 cash An engraved championship trophy A $2,500 cash prize from Merriam-Webster A reference library and subscription package Airfare and accommodations for finalists and their families What makes a champion? Faizan Zaki's edge Zaki's victory is a reflection of more than raw talent — it showcases qualities like mental resilience, composure under pressure, and sustained dedication. Experts in education and cognition often point to spelling bee champions as models of how early intellectual challenges can shape young minds. Zaki's journey, especially his recovery from the 2023 loss, illustrates the value of persistence in the face of setbacks. With his Rubik's Cube collection and passion for wordplay, Zaki has proven that curiosity and commitment are at the heart of elite-level academic achievement. 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Hindustan Times
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