In a dazzling display of linguistic mastery, Faizan Zaki has clinched the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee title, overcoming fierce competition and proving his resilience after last year’s heartbreak. The 13-year-old Texas seventh-grader captured the coveted trophy in the 21st round of the competition, correctly spelling éclaircissement to a flurry of confetti and an eruption of applause.
Faizan, a favorite going into the bee after securing second place last year, confidently approached each word throughout the final round. His signature casual style, marked by his black hoodie and effortless spelling, made the victory all the more thrilling. However, his journey to the title was anything but smooth.
At a critical moment, when two remaining contenders—Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane—missed their words, Faizan stood on the brink of victory. But instead of proceeding with caution, he attempted to spell commelina without first confirming its details, a move nearly costing him the championship. His showmanship may have made the crowd gasp, but his determination ultimately secured the win.
A Champion with a Passion for Words
Faizan’s love for language extends far beyond the competition stage. Having participated in the bee since the age of 7, he has spent years studying obscure words out of genuine fascination. His passion helped him recover from last year’s painful loss in the “spell-off”—a lightning-round format that he hadn’t prepared for. This time, Faizan adjusted his strategy, balancing precision with speed.
Even his closest competitor and friend, Bruhat Soma, acknowledged Faizan’s deep dedication. “He really has a passion for this. He studies words no one would ever ask for in a spelling bee,” Bruhat said.
A Historic Victory
Faizan’s win adds to a proud legacy—30 of the past 36 Scripps champions have been Indian American, solidifying a trend of excellence within the community. Organizers also extended congratulations to Faizan’s parents and grandparents, who cheered him on from their home in Hyderabad.
With this triumph, Faizan becomes only the fifth speller in the bee’s history to win after finishing as runner-up the previous year. His road to victory spanned multiple attempts, tying for 21st place in 2023 and landing 370th place in 2019.
Along with the prestigious medal and trophy, Faizan takes home a Rs 40,00,000 cash prize, marking the culmination of his relentless pursuit of spelling excellence.
“I don’t even know what I’m going to say. I’m just really happy,” Faizan said, his hands trembling with excitement.
A moment of glory, a legacy sealed—the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee has crowned a true champion.
