Texas Teen Triumphs in Spelling Bee with ‘Eclaircissement’: A Remarkable Journey to Victory!

OXON HILL, Md. — Faizan Zaki’s love for spelling led him to become the Scripps National Spelling Bee champion. This 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, entered the competition after finishing as a runner-up last year. He had a memorable journey, never misspelling a word until the final lightning round, which he hadn’t practiced for. This year, his relaxed and joyful attitude captured everyone’s attention.

During the finals, Faizan appeared relaxed and confident. However, he faced a moment of overconfidence that could have cost him the title. With only three spellers remaining, Faizan’s opponents stumbled on their words, putting him just two words away from victory. The first word he faced was “commelina.” Instead of asking for clarifications, Faizan let his confidence take charge. “K-A-M,” he started, but quickly halted. “Oh, shoot!” he exclaimed as he realized his mistake.

After a brief moment of panic, he managed to regain his focus. The head judge, Mary Brooks, guided him through the process, allowing the remaining spellers to return to the stage. Faizan later joked, “I’m definitely going to be having nightmares about that tonight.” He nailed the next word, “eclaircissement,” without even asking a single question for clarity. His victory celebration was filled with excitement as he punched the air and collapsed to the stage.

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Faizan has become memorable for both his triumphs and his close call with failure. His friend Bruhat Soma, who had bested him in last year’s tiebreaker, noted that Faizan’s enthusiasm sometimes overshadowed the seriousness required for such a high-stakes competition.

Despite his slip, Faizan shared that he learned from last year’s experience. He mentioned that he had focused on speed during his training this time rather than the usual methodical approach champion spellers use, like asking questions and staying calm. Faizan’s coaches—Scott Remer, Sam Evans, and Sohum Sukhantankar—guided him well, but his personality shone through during the performance.

They cheered him on as he displayed his charisma and enjoyment, with Evans saying, “He’s crazy. He’s having a good time, and he’s doing what he loves.” Faizan’s father, Zaki Anwar, proudly called him the “GOAT,” or greatest of all time, highlighting his extensive experience in spelling bees.

This year, the bee introduced changes to the rules, allowing for more dramatic moments. The competition saw six contestants spell 28 consecutive words without error. In recent years, many champions have been Indian American, and this trend continues with Faizan, who comes from a family that immigrated from southern India.

After winning, Faizan earned a total of $77,500 in prize money. His previous winnings went toward a unique Rubik’s cube, but this time, he plans to donate a significant portion to charity. He’s been participating in spelling bees since he was just seven, showcasing a passion that only seems to grow stronger with each competition.

Bruhat noted that Faizan often spends his free time exploring obscure words that are unlikely to come up in competition. Faizan himself reflected on the fun he had during the bee and how that joy ultimately contributed to his success. “No offense to Bruhat, but I think he really took the bee a little too seriously,” he said. “I decided to have fun with this bee, and I did well, and here I am.”

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