# Thirteen-year-old, Faizan Zaki, outlasted eight other accomplished spellers to win the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, US. From Allen, Texas, he finished as the runner-up last year after losing in a lightning-round tiebreaker. His winning word was éclaircissement. Including Faizan, whose parents emigrated from southern India, 30 of the past 36 champions have been Indian American, a run that began with Nupur Lala’s victory in 1999.
13-year-old Faizan Zaki wins the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee