13-Year-Old Faizan Zaki Wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Showcasing Linguistic Talent

In a thrilling display of linguistic prowess, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Allen, Texas, emerged victorious at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, held on May 29, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The seventh-grader captivated audiences by correctly spelling the French word “éclaircissement,” securing the prestigious Scripps Cup and a $50,000 cash prize. This victory marks a remarkable redemption for Zaki, who finished as the runner-up in 2024 after a dramatic spell-off. His journey from a near-miss to champion highlights not only his spelling talent but also his resilience and dedication to the craft.

A Dramatic Path to Victory

The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, celebrating its 100th anniversary, was a showcase of young talent, with 243 spellers from across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and countries like the Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Kuwait, and Nigeria. The competition, which began on May 27, featured four stages: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals, broadcast live on ION. By the time the finals arrived, only nine spellers remained, including Zaki, the only 2024 finalist to return to the final stage.

The finals were nothing short of electrifying. Faizan faced intense competition from spellers like Sarvadnya Kadam, 14, from Visalia, California, and Sarv Dharavane, 11, from Dunwoody, Georgia. The competition reached a fever pitch in the 18th round when all three remaining spellers—Zaki, Kadam, and Dharavane—misspelled their words. Zaki’s mistake came on the word “commelina,” where, in a moment of overconfidence, he began spelling “k-a-m” before catching himself. Realizing his error, he exclaimed, “Oh, shoot,” prompting laughter from the audience. Because all three spellers erred in the same round, they were reinstated, setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion.

Two rounds later, Kadam misspelled “Uaupés,” the name of a river in Colombia and Brazil, and Zaki correctly spelled “Ch cinematography. Zaki’s journey was not without its challenges. His preparation was rigorous, with five to six hours of study on weekdays and seven to eight hours on weekends, often under the guidance of his coach, Scott Remer. This dedication paid off, as he navigated challenging words like “coterell” with precision, earning a fist pump and a sigh of relief after each success.

A Linguistic Prodigy with Diverse Interests

Faizan Zaki is no ordinary teenager. A seventh-grader at C.M. Rice Middle School in Dallas, Texas, he has been competing in spelling bees since he was seven, when he qualified for the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee through a wild-card program. His journey has been a steady climb: tying for 370th place in 2019, reaching 21st place in 2023, and securing second place in 2024 before clinching the title in 2025. His victory makes him only the fifth runner-up in the competition’s history to return and win, and the first since Sean Conley in 2001.

Beyond spelling, Faizan is a multifaceted individual with a passion for languages and linguistics. He is currently learning French, which likely gave him an edge with his winning word, “éclaircissement,” a French term meaning clarification or enlightenment. His interests extend to playing video games, solving Rubik’s Cubes at lightning speed, and playing the viola. According to his mother, Arshia Quadri, Faizan’s love for learning began early—he was reading by age two, a testament to his intellectual curiosity.

Faizan’s father, Zaki Anwar, described him as “the GOAT” (greatest of all time), praising his deep knowledge of the dictionary and his long-standing commitment to spelling. “He’s been doing it for so long, and he knows the dictionary in and out,” Anwar told ESPN. Faizan’s ability to balance his academic pursuits with his hobbies showcases a well-rounded character that resonates with peers and inspires young spellers nationwide.

The Significance of the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which began in 1925 when the Louisville Courier-Journal invited newspapers to host local bees, has grown into a cultural institution. This year’s centennial celebration brought together dozens of former champions, including Nupur Lala, whose 1999 victory was featured in the documentary Spellbound. The competition, now hosted by the E.W. Scripps Company, a Cincinnati-based media conglomerate, continues to evolve. In 2025, Scripps introduced the “beelieve” program, aimed at providing free spelling bee programming to Title 1 schools, ensuring broader access to this educational opportunity.

The bee’s format tests not only spelling but also vocabulary, with a dedicated vocabulary round introduced in 2021 to promote literacy and knowledge. Spellers have 90 seconds to spell each word, often asking for definitions, origins, or usage to ensure accuracy. The competition’s difficulty is evident in words like “tekke” (a Turkish dervish monastery), which eliminated finalist Harini Murali, and “Keighley,” which stumped Aishwarya Kallakuri. Faizan’s ability to spell “éclaircissement” without asking for additional information underscored his confidence and preparation.

A Historic Win for Texas

Faizan’s victory adds to Texas’s impressive legacy in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with the state producing 17 champions, more than any other. His win, which earned him $52,500 in cash and prizes (including a $2,500 prize and reference library from Merriam-Webster and $400 in reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica), brings his total bee earnings to $77,500, including his $25,000 from last year’s runner-up finish. When asked about his plans for the prize money, Faizan expressed a desire to donate a significant portion to charity, a decision that reflects his humility and community spirit. Last year, he splurged on a $1,500 Rubik’s Cube with 21 squares per side, hinting at his love for complex challenges.

A Bright Future for a Young Champion

As confetti rained down and Faizan clutched the Scripps Cup, his emotional reaction—pumping his fists and collapsing to the stage—captured the magnitude of his achievement. “I was just ready to get it over with,” he told The Guardian, reflecting on the tension-filled final rounds. “I definitely wasn’t expecting this, though.” His lighthearted demeanor, including calling head pronouncer Jacques Bailly “bro” during the competition, endeared him to audiences and highlighted his unique personality.

Looking ahead, Faizan’s future is bright. As a 13-year-old with two more years of eligibility, he could return to the Scripps stage, though he admitted to having “no idea” what’s next, jokingly suggesting he might stay up all night celebrating. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, preparation, and passion. For aspiring spellers, Faizan’s journey serves as an inspiration to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and pursue excellence with joy.

The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee will be remembered not only for its centennial milestone but also for Faizan Zaki’s triumphant redemption. His victory underscores the enduring appeal of the competition, which continues to celebrate young minds and their extraordinary linguistic talents. As the bee prepares to return to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., in 2026, Faizan’s name will be etched in its storied history, a beacon for future spellers dreaming of their own moment in the spotlight.

For more details on Faizan Zaki’s win, visit The New York Times or Scripps News. To learn about the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s history and programs, check Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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