Texas Spelling Bee Champion
Introduction to the Champion
Faizan Zaki nearly threw away his opportunity to go from runner-up to champion at the Scripps National Spelling Bee with a shocking moment of overconfidence. Given a second chance, he seized the title of best speller in the English language.
The 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, who lost in a lightning-round tiebreaker last year, outlasted eight other accomplished spellers to win the title on Thursday night, including two that he let back into the competition after his own careless flub.
The Winning Moment
Told to take a deep breath before his final word, “eclaircissement,” he didn’t ask a single question before spelling it correctly, and he pumped his fists and collapsed to the stage after saying the final letter.
Two rounds earlier, Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane misspelled their words, clearing a path for Faizan, but instead of making sure he knew the word, “commelina,” Faizan let his showmanship get the better of him.
The Turning Point
“K-A-M,” he said, then stopped himself. “OK, let me do this. Oh, shoot!”
“Just ring the bell,” he told head judge Mary Brooks, who obliged.
“So now you know what happens,” Brooks said, and the other two spellers returned to the stage.
Upon his return to the microphone, Sarv chimed in: “This is surprising!”
The Competition
But Sarv misspelled again, followed in the next round by Sarvadnya, and Faizan stayed just calm enough to ensure his competitors wouldn’t get back to the microphone.
It was a riveting conclusion to a competition that started in 1925 and appears to have a bright future. Scripps, a Cincinnati-based media company, had a few dozen former champions on hand to celebrate the centennial of an event that began when the Louisville Courier-Journal invited other newspapers to host spelling bees and send their champions to Washington.
History of the Scripps Spelling Bee
The Scripps Spelling Bee has stumped spellers from around the country since 1925. Here are some of the hardest winning words from spelling bee history.
Faizan lost to Bruhat Soma last year in a tiebreaker known as a “spell-off.” He became only the fifth runner-up to come back and win and the first since since Sean Conley in 2001.
Prize and Future Plans
With the winner’s haul of $52,500 added to his second-place prize of $25,000, Faizan increased his bee earnings to $77,500. His big splurge with his winnings last year? A $1,500 Rubik’s cube with 21 squares on each side.
This is the last year the bee will be held at its home for the past 14 years, a convention center just outside Washington on the banks of the Potomac River. In 2026, the competition returns to the nation’s capital at Constitution Hall, a nearly century-old concert venue near the White House.
Conclusion
Faizan Zaki’s win at the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. From being a runner-up to becoming the champion, Faizan’s journey is an inspiration to many young spellers. The Scripps National Spelling Bee continues to be a prestigious competition that challenges the best spellers in the English language.
FAQs
- Who won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee?
Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. - What was the winning word?
The winning word was “eclaircissement.” - How much did Faizan win?
Faizan won $52,500 as the champion, adding to his previous year’s prize of $25,000, making his total earnings $77,500. - Where will the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee be held?
The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee will be held at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.