Faizan Zaki Clinches Victory at 2025 US Spelling Bee
At just 13 years old, Indian-American Faizan Zaki secured the championship title at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee by accurately spelling the challenging word "eclaircissement". The win on May 29 marked a triumphant moment after last year's runner-up finish.
Winning Word and Its Meaning
The final winning word, pronounced ek-lehr-see-sma, is of French origin and means "clarification" or "enlightenment," often used to signify the clearing up of confusion. Faizan spelled it flawlessly, immediately confirming his championship status.
Prize and Philanthropic Intentions
Faizan was awarded $52,500 (approximately Rs 45 lakh) for his victory, adding to the $25,000 (over Rs 21.3 lakh) he received as runner-up in 2024. Demonstrating generosity, Faizan intends to donate a significant portion of his winnings to charitable causes.
Journey and Previous Performances
Faizan’s spelling journey spans several years. He first participated in the national bee in 2019 at age 7 through a now-discontinued wild-card program. Over the years, Faizan steadily improved, reaching the semifinals in 2023 and finishing second in 2024. The prior year’s setback came during the high-pressure spell-off tiebreaker round, where he correctly spelled 20 words but was narrowly surpassed.
Competition Highlights and Final Moments
The 2025 finals featured nine highly skilled contestants, including 11-year-old Sarv Dharavane from Georgia and 14-year-old Sarvadnya Kadam from California. As competition intensified, both Dharavane and Kadam missed consecutive words, bringing Faizan within two words of victory. Although Faizan initially faltered on the word "commelina," he quickly corrected himself and continued flawlessly until winning.
Indian-American Dominance in the Bee
Faizan’s win contributes to an enduring trend of Indian-American excellence in the national bee, with 30 of the last 36 champions hailing from this community. This remarkable legacy was initiated in 1999 with the victory of Nupur Lala.
Centennial Celebration and Rule Changes
The 2025 competition also marked the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. To enhance fairness and excitement, organizers introduced new rules aimed at reducing early tiebreakers, allowing for a longer and more competitive final round.
Support and Preparation
Faizan attributes his success to his passion for words and sustained enthusiasm. He also credits the guidance of his three coaches: Scott Remer, Sam Evans, and Sohum Sukhantankar, who contributed significantly to his development as a top speller.
