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3mo ago

Faizan Zaki Wins Centennial Scripps National Spelling Bee with 'éclaircissement'

Zaki’s late-round misspelling extended the finals into extra rounds, ultimately raising his total Bee earnings to $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

  • Zaki sealed the championship by correctly spelling the French word 'éclaircissement' in the final round of the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee.
  • He stumbled on 'commelina' in the 18th round, allowing two competitors to return before ultimately outlasting them.
  • He became the fifth contestant in Bee history to win after finishing runner-up in the previous year’s competition.
  • The victory earned him $50,000 from Scripps plus partner awards, bringing his combined 2024 and 2025 Bee winnings to $77,500.
  • The centennial contest featured 243 spellers aged 8 to 14 from across the U.S. and abroad, with finals held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.