WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Shrey Parikh captured the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee title on Thursday night after a dramatic spell-off victory that showcased speed, focus, and years of preparation.
The 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, correctly spelled 32 words in 90 seconds to defeat runner-up Ishaan Gupta in the championship round at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington. Gupta spelled 25 words correctly during the rapid-fire tiebreaker. Parikh’s winning performance set a new spell-off record, according to Scripps. His final championship word was “bromocriptine.”
“It honestly feels amazing,” Parikh said Friday during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I’m just so glad that I didn’t give up when everything was not good last year.”
The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee featured 247 competitors between the ages of 9 and 15. Students represented all 50 states, U.S. territories, and several countries after advancing through regional spelling bees.
Parikh’s victory marked the end of a long journey at the national spelling competition. He tied for 89th place during his first appearance in 2022. Two years later, he finished tied for third place in 2024. He missed last year’s competition because of illness. The 2026 season was also his final year of eligibility.
“I’m just so glad that I won the bee,” Parikh said on “GMA.” “It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to for a really long time.”
Parikh said he relied on a unique study method to prepare for the spelling bee. Instead of only practicing aloud, he spent hours typing words to improve speed and accuracy.
“I prepared mostly by typing, so usually that involved trying to get through as many words as I could in a day,” he said. “The spell-off kind of came naturally because it aligned with my practice.” That preparation proved critical during the final round. The spell-off format requires finalists to spell as many words as possible within 90 seconds. Judges introduced the tiebreaker in recent years to prevent marathon championship rounds.
Gupta, 12, also delivered a strong performance during the national spelling bee finals. The young competitor improved significantly from his 2025 appearance, when he finished tied for 20th place.
Sarv Dharavane placed third for the second consecutive year, continuing a streak of strong performances at the national competition. The finalists impressed judges and viewers with advanced vocabulary skills and composure under pressure. The event once again highlighted the growing popularity of academic competitions among students nationwide.
This year’s competition took place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington for the first time in 15 years. The historic venue added a grand atmosphere to the annual event. The Scripps National Spelling Bee remains one of the country’s best-known academic competitions. Millions of students participate in local and regional spelling bees each year for a chance to reach the national stage.
The bee also attracted several notable television personalities this year. ESPN analyst and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” champion Mina Kimes served as host alongside longtime spelling bee analyst Paul Loeffler. Loeffler, a former national competitor, marked his 20th year covering the event. The competition also featured a new production team led by Michael Davies, the executive producer behind “Jeopardy!” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”
Along with the coveted Scripps Cup trophy, Parikh earned more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. His awards included a $52,500 prize package and a Merriam-Webster reference library. The spelling bee champion now joins a prestigious list of winners who gained national recognition through the event. Many past champions have gone on to careers in medicine, technology, law, and education. For Parikh, however, the moment represented more than a trophy or prize money. His victory reflected persistence after years of competition and disappointment.
