OXON HILL, Md. (Diya TV) — With a flash of flair, a touch of overconfidence, and an enduring passion for language, Indian American 13-year-old Faizan Zaki claimed the title of 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion — capping off the Bee’s 100th anniversary with a dramatic and unforgettable finish.
Faizan, a seventh-grader from Allen, Texas, clinched victory Thursday night in the 21st round by correctly spelling “éclaircissement,” a French-derived word meaning “enlightenment” or “the clearing up of something obscure.” In true Faizan fashion, he skipped the standard questions — no definition, no language of origin — and spelled it with total confidence before collapsing on the stage in celebration.
“I was just so excited and, like, after I spoke my word… I was kind of losing breath,” Faizan told Good Morning America the next day, having gotten just two hours of sleep. “Those last couple of letters, I was gasping for air. I was like hyperventilating with excitement.”
This win was Faizan’s fourth appearance at the Bee, and redemption after his runner-up finish in 2024. Last year, he lost in a lightning-round tiebreaker to his friend Bruhat Soma — a format Faizan hadn’t practiced for. Determined not to let history repeat itself, Faizan changed strategies this year, focusing heavily on speed and recognition during study sessions, sometimes dedicating up to eight hours a day to memorizing obscure and archaic words.
But despite the intense preparation, Faizan approached the finals with a casual charm that made him a fan favorite. He took the stage in a hoodie, joked with judges, and even called one “bro” during the broadcast. “I mean, yeah, I’ve been in this for seven years so at this point I’m not really that nervous,” he said. “I’m definitely confident but not overconfident. I also have that casual style.”
That laid-back approach nearly cost him the championship. With only three spellers remaining, Faizan stepped up to spell “commelina” — but rushed through without asking the usual clarifying questions. “K-A-M,” he started, then froze. “Oh, shoot! Just ring the bell,” he told head judge Mary Brooks, who obliged. The error momentarily brought his competitors back into contention.
“I’m definitely going to be having nightmares about that tonight,” he said later, standing beside the trophy with confetti at his feet.
The Bee’s centennial saw a dramatic, high-level competition under new rules designed to reduce reliance on a sudden-death spell-off. Nine finalists advanced to the final night, including Sarvadnya Kadam of Visalia, California, and Sarv Dharavane of Dunwoody, Georgia. Sarvadnya, who aged out of eligibility this year, finished second and earned $25,000. Sarv, just 11 years old, took third and received $15,000.
Faizan’s story added a poetic note to the Bee’s rich history. According to Scripps, he became just the fifth runner-up in the competition’s 100-year history to return and win the following year — and the first to do so since 2001. Including him, 30 of the past 36 champions have been Indian American, a legacy that began with Nupur Lala’s 1999 win and inspired the documentary Spellbound.
“Faizan exemplified the determination that defines a champion,” said Adam Symson, president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, in a statement. “In this landmark 100th year… Faizan’s extraordinary achievement reminds us of the shared joy in cheering for their success.”
With his $50,000 prize from Scripps — plus additional awards from sponsors like Merriam-Webster and Encyclopædia Britannica — Faizan’s total Bee earnings now stand at $77,500. Last year, he splurged on a $1,500 Rubik’s cube. This year, he says, he plans to donate much of the winnings to charity.
As for what’s next? “I really enjoy math,” Faizan said. “Maybe I can try getting into the International Mathematical Olympiad.”
But for now, he’s basking in the glow of a victory seven years in the making. “He’s really good, man,” said his father, Zaki Anwar. “He’s the GOAT… He knows the dictionary in and out.”
And even when that joy almost cost him, Faizan wouldn’t change a thing. “I decided to have fun with this Bee, and I did well, and here I am,” he said.
