Faizan Zaki Wins Spelling Bee Despite Onstage Flub/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Faizan Zaki overcame a self-inflicted stumble to win the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Despite nearly disqualifying himself with an overconfident misstep, he ultimately triumphed with flair. The win marked a passionate comeback after last year’s runner-up finish.
Spelling Bee Triumph Quick Looks
- Faizan Zaki wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in dramatic fashion.
- Nearly lost after blurting out the wrong start to a word: “commelina.”
- Clinched victory with the correct spelling of “eclaircissement.”
- Returns after 2024 runner-up finish in a speed tiebreaker round.
- 13-year-old from Allen, Texas known for passionate, joyful spelling.
- Becomes first runner-up to return and win since 2001.
- Bee celebrates 100th anniversary with thrilling final rounds.
- Zaki now has $77,500 in total winnings from past two years.
- Plans to donate much of this year’s $52,500 prize to charity.
- Maintains Indian American dominance: 30 of last 36 champions.
Deep Look: Faizan Zaki Rallies to Win Scripps National Spelling Bee After Onstage Slip
OXON HILL, Md. — Faizan Zaki’s love of spelling nearly cost him everything on Thursday night — but instead, it fueled a memorable comeback that won him the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 13-year-old Texan rebounded from a stunning, self-inflicted error to clinch the title in front of a national audience and a hall filled with past champions celebrating the competition’s 100th anniversary.
Zaki, the fan favorite after finishing as runner-up last year, spelled his final word, “eclaircissement”, without asking a single question — an audacious move that ended in a dramatic celebration on stage. But it came just moments after a nearly disastrous mistake when he prematurely started spelling “commelina” without confirmation.
“K-A-M…” he began, before stopping himself and groaning, “Oh, shoot!”
“Just ring the bell,” he told the judge, knowing he’d lost his turn.
A Risky Showman Turns Champion
Unlike many competitors, Faizan brought a relaxed confidence to the microphone. Dressed in a hoodie and flashing grins, he spelled with visible delight — a far cry from the mechanical approach often drilled into top spellers. But his approach came close to backfiring.
After his misstep, his two competitors — Sarvadnya Kadam and Sarv Dharavane — returned to the stage. They faltered, giving Faizan another shot, and this time he didn’t miss.
“I’m definitely going to be having nightmares about that tonight,” Faizan said, standing by the trophy.
Despite the drama, Faizan’s joy was contagious. His coaches, Scott Remer, Sam Evans, and Sohum Sukhantankar, didn’t try to suppress his expressive style.
“He’s crazy. He’s having a good time, and he’s doing what he loves,” Evans said.
His father, Zaki Anwar, agreed: “He’s the GOAT. He knows the dictionary inside and out.”
A Centennial Celebration With Real Competition
This year’s bee was one of the most competitive in recent memory. Thanks to a new rule giving judges more flexibility before calling a tiebreaker, the top spellers were allowed to stretch the contest naturally. Six finalists got 28 straight words correct, with three perfect rounds during the finals — reminiscent of the famed eight-way tie in 2019.
Sarvadnya, 14, of Visalia, California, finished second and aged out of future eligibility. Sarv, just 11 years old from Georgia, impressed with a third-place finish and has three years left to return.
A Legacy of Indian American Excellence
Faizan, whose family hails from southern India, joins a long line of Indian American champions. His win marks the 30th out of 36 since Nupur Lala’s 1999 victory, famously featured in the documentary Spellbound. Lala was among the many past champions present to sign autographs and celebrate the bee’s 100th year.
Faizan first competed in 2019 at just 7 years old and has grown up with the competition. His passion is undeniable.
“He’s literally looking up obscure words in his free time,” said 2024 champion and close friend Bruhat Soma, who noted Faizan’s focus was more on fun than just the title.
That fun-loving attitude nearly cost him a second-place finish again — but instead, he made history.
“No offense to Bruhat, but I think he took it a little too seriously,” Faizan joked.
“I decided to have fun with this bee, and I did well, and here I am.”
Record Winnings, Generous Spirit
Adding this year’s $52,500 top prize to his 2024 second-place haul of $25,000, Faizan now has $77,500 in total bee earnings. Last year, he splurged on a $1,500 Rubik’s cube with 21 squares per side. This year, he says he plans to donate a large share to charity.
The bee, started in 1925 by the Louisville Courier-Journal, will return to Washington, D.C.’s Constitution Hall next year, restoring its downtown roots near the White House.
Faizan Zaki’s 2025 victory will be remembered not only for the flub he survived, but for the joy and energy he brought to spelling — a true passion project turned championship run.
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