13-Year-Old Indian-American Student Faizan Zaki Wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Faizan Zaki-Wins 2025: 13-year-old Indian-American student Faizan Zaki has created a new milestone by winning the prestigious 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States. He correctly spelled the difficult French word “éclaircissement,” securing his victory. The competition held special significance as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
For this outstanding achievement, Faizan received a $50,000 prize and the Scripps Cup trophy. This win marks his fourth consecutive victory in the competition, firmly establishing him as a champion speller.
Faizan's Spelling Journey Began at Age 7
Faizan Zaki resides in Dallas, Texas, and is a seventh-grader at CM Rice Middle School. His spelling bee journey began at the age of 7. His parents shared that Faizan has a passion for words and is always eager to learn new words and memorize their spellings.
Faizan's mother, Arshia Kadri, explained, "Faizan has been interested in words since childhood. He was always excited to learn the meaning and spelling of words as soon as he heard them." His father, Zaki Anwar, added, "We thought he would just gain experience and spell a few words, that would be enough. But Faizan exceeded all expectations."
243 Participants Competed
The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee attracted 243 children aged 8 to 14 from around the world. These competitors participated in the event held in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 27th to May 30th.
Despite the intense competition and pressure, only 9 participants reached the final round. In the 21st round of the finals, Faizan correctly spelled “éclaircissement,” claiming victory.
A Historic Fourth Win
This was Faizan Zaki's fourth participation in this prestigious competition. Last year, he narrowly lost to his friend, Bruhat Soma, in a tiebreaker round. This year, however, he not only avenged his loss but also made history by winning the title on the 100th anniversary.
Faizan's father stated, "He has been working hard for years; he knows the dictionary like the back of his hand. This victory is solely a result of his dedication."
What is the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is considered America's oldest and most prestigious spelling competition. It began in 1925 and has been held annually ever since with great fanfare. Children from around the globe participate, and thousands of competitors dream of winning this title each year.
According to the competition organizers, the 2025 edition marked Scripps' 100th anniversary, making it even more special. This year's event also included workshops, interactive sessions, and opportunities for the children to learn more about the world of words.
