Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025: Indian-Americans steal the show with top three positions – all you need to know

In a heart-stopping finish to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, 13-year-old Indian-American Faizan Zaki from Dallas, Texas, emerged victorious, spelling “Chaldee” correctly in the 20th round to secure the championship. However, the drama wasn’t over yet — Zaki was required by the judges to spell one more word flawlessly before being officially crowned champion, a challenge he met with confidence and without any assistance. Zaki’s win was a story of redemption. Last year, he narrowly lost in the spell-off to Bruhat Soma after rushing his final word and stumbling on the homonym of “commelina.” This time, determined to avoid a repeat, he made sure the contest didn’t go to a spell-off. “I’m really happy,” Zaki said after his triumph. The competition, held over three intense days outside Washington DC, featured some of the country’s best young spellers. Zaki’s steady composure was visible as he kept his hands tucked into the pockets of his black Aeropostale hoodie, his long dark hair falling between his eyeglasses. His trademark hand gesture — a back-and-forth motion with each letter — reappeared as he confidently asked the necessary questions and spelled each word correctly.Indian-American runner-up Sarvadnya Kadam and third-place finisher Sarv Dharavane, the youngest finalist at just 11 years old and a fifth grader, impressed the audience with their composure and talent. Dharavane, also Indian-American, charmed the crowd with his laid-back style—greeting the mic with a casual “wassup” and saying “here goes nothing” before confidently spelling his words.

Dramatic twists in the final rounds

The competition’s tension peaked in the 18th round, when Zaki had a chance to clinch the title after Kadam and Dharavane misspelled their words. However, Zaki’s excitement got the better of him, and he began spelling before fully completing his thought process, prompting judge Mary Brooks to ring the bell, invalidating his attempt. This unexpected turn allowed Kadam and Dharavane back into the contest, prolonging the battle for the championship. Throughout the finals, the field showed incredible depth and precision. At one point, the finalists spelled 23 words consecutively without a single mistake. The pressure finally cracked for some contenders: Harini Mulari missed the last letter of “tekke,” Brian Liu stumbled on “kyah,” and Aishwarya Kallakuri faltered on “Keighley,” a town in northern England. By the final rounds, only Zaki, Kadam, and Dharavane remained standing, facing off in a test of nerves and vocabulary mastery. The six finalists demonstrated remarkable skill, delivering multiple perfect rounds even as the difficulty level escalated.

Meet the finalists

The “Still-Standing Six” demonstrated incredible endurance. They included:

Other notable finalists included Esha Marupudi, Oliver Halkett, and Akshaj Somisetty, with Somisetty being the first eliminated in the finals after missing a vocabulary question on the word “imbroglio.”

The historic backdrop

The 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee marked the 100th anniversary of the competition, which began in 1925 as a collaboration among newspapers to identify America’s best young spellers. While it is the 97th edition due to cancellations during World War II and the 2020 pandemic, the Bee continues to be a celebrated tradition. The contest has evolved over the years, including the addition of the “spell-off” in response to the historic eight-way tie in 2019, designed to prevent ties by testing speed and accuracy in rapid-fire spelling rounds.

Prize package and legacy

Winning the Bee comes with more than just the glory. Zaki will receive:

All finalists receive $2,000, with tiered prizes awarded down to sixth place.

Competition scale and reach

This year’s Bee Week began with 243 spellers representing every U.S. state and territory, as well as international participants from Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait, and Nigeria. The youngest contestant was eight-year-old Zachary Teoh from Texas, while about 30% of participants were 14 years old, nearing the age limit. Scripps estimates that between 10 and 11 million children participate in local and regional Bees each year, making it a truly nationwide educational event.

The finals experience

The final rounds were broadcast live on Scripps-owned networks including ION, Bounce, Grit, and streamed on multiple platforms. The finals began with an enthusiastic “Bear Down!” from semifinalist Yahya Ali Mohammed, setting a spirited tone. After the finals, Scripps announced that starting in 2026, the Bee would move from the Gaylord National Convention Center in Maryland back to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., the site of many early competitions.

Looking ahead

Faizan Zaki’s victory puts him in elite company as only the fifth speller ever to win the Bee the year after finishing second — a feat last accomplished in 2001. His steady nerves, methodical approach, and clear love for the competition suggest he will be remembered among the great champions of this historic event.