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4w ago

Faizan Zaki Wins 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee with 'éclaircissement'

His recovery from a late slip on 'commelina' made him the fifth speller to win after finishing second the previous year, with total Bee earnings now at $77,500.

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Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, Texas, reacts after winning the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, Texas, holds the prize after winning the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., May 29, 2025.
NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND - MAY 29: Faizan Zaki, 13, of Dallas, Texas spells his word in the finals of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on May 29, 2025 in National Harbor, Maryland. 243 spellers from all over the globe ages 8 to 14 competed from May 27 to May 30, 2025 and were narrowed down to 9 finalists during the 100th anniversary of the bee. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Overview

  • He took home $52,500 in cash and prizes for the centennial victory, bringing his combined 2024–25 winnings to $77,500.
  • After misspelling 'commelina' in the 18th round, he steadied himself as competitors faltered and sealed the title by correctly spelling 'éclaircissement'.
  • Zaki’s triumph marks the 30th Indian-American championship in the past 36 years, underscoring the community’s strong showing at the Bee.
  • The 243 contestants converged at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Maryland for the 100th anniversary competition.
  • Since debuting at age 7 in 2019 and finishing runner-up in 2024, he became only the fifth contestant to win after a runner-up finish the year before.