Hyderabad boy clinches top spot at prestigious Scripps Spelling Bee Championship

Thirteen-year-old Faizan Zaki from Telangana won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, correctly spelling “éclaircissement.” Felicitated in Hyderabad, the Indian-American’s victory highlights his dedication, discipline, and mastery of words, inspiring young minds globally.

Hyderabad: He lives by words – thinking them, mastering them, breathing them. And now, he has conquered the world of words. That is Faizan Zaki.

The 13-year-old child prodigy has brought immense pride to Telangana by winning the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship, one of the most prestigious linguistic competitions in the world. The Indian-American etched his name into history by clinching the title at the 97th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland, USA.

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Competing against 243 spellers from across the globe, Faizan held his nerve in a tense finale and correctly spelled the winning word — “éclaircissement.” Of French origin, the word means a clarification or the act of making something obscure or confusing clear.

In this landmark, centennial victory, Faizan’s composure and precision stood out, earning him the coveted championship and a cash prize of $50,000.

Recently, Faizan was felicitated in Hyderabad by the Mediaplus Foundation. The ceremony was attended by his parents, Anwar Zaki and Dr Arshia Quadri, and his sister Zara Jabeen.

An eighth-grade student of Rice Middle School, Plano, Texas, Faizan has been immersed in spelling competitions since the age of seven. His journey to the top has been marked by consistent excellence, winning at the class, school, district, county and regional levels before emerging as a national champion. In 2024, he finished as the second runner-up.

Notably, at just seven years of age, Faizan became the youngest participant at the national level when he competed in the 92nd Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2019.

“I made a promise to myself that I would win. I kept practicing and gave it everything I had,” Faizan said, proudly holding the championship trophy.

How does he remember the spellings? “Through repetition, and by understanding the etymology and meanings of words.” He added, “If you put your heart into something, you will certainly achieve your goal.”

Overwhelmed with pride, his parents acknowledged the sacrifices behind the success. “We are proud and humbled. It is a great honour to bring this trophy to Hyderabad,” said his mother, Dr Arshia. Faizan’s father, Anwar Zaki, hails from Khammam. The family migrated to the United States in 1997.

Former Law Minister Asif Pasha presented a shawl and a memento to the young champion. Among others present were Dr Altaf Hyder of Akbar Eye Hospital, Fazil Hussain Parvez, Editor, Gawah, Zafar Javeed, Secretary of the Sultan-ul-Uloom Educational Society, and several distinguished guests.

Faizan Zaki’s triumph stands as a testament to perseverance, discipline and the power of words – an inspiration for young minds across the globe.