Rare is the case of National Spelling Bee runners-up eventually seizing the title. Yet, contender Faizan Zaki aspires to buck the trend.
Scripps National Spelling Bee Runner-Up Faizan Zaki Secures Win in Incredible Comeback
OXON HILL, Md. (AP) - In a remarkable turn of events, Faizan Zaki, last year's Scripps National Spelling Bee runner-up, emerged victorious in this year's competition, showcasing the true spirit of resilience and perseverance.
"The challenges were tough, but I never gave up," Faizan said, beaming with pride. "I knew I had to work hard and stay focused to make it happen."
Upon being eliminated in a "spell-off" tiebreaker last year, Faizan vowed to return and prove that his second place finish was simply a setback, not a defeat. And true to his word, he did not disappoint.
Faizan scored the only perfect score on the written spelling and vocabulary test that determined the quarterfinalists, and he breezed through seven rounds on Wednesday to secure his place in the finals. In true Faizan fashion, he sauntered to the microphone in a black hoodie, his shaggy hair obscuring his face, before delivering each letter with self-assured ease.
When he reached the word "coterell" in the finals, Faizan finally showed a glimmer of uncertainty, but he quickly regained his composure and raced through its eight letters with a big fist pump.
"It was a huge relief to get to the finals again," Faizan admitted, visibly excited about his achievement. "I have a lot of expectations put on me, and I couldn't be happier to meet them."
Historically, runners-up have faced an uphill battle when it comes to winning the Spelling Bee championship. In 96 bees over the last 100 years, only four runners-up have managed to win, with only one doing so in the last 44 years. However, Faizan is hopeful about his chances and is determined to break this trend.
"Hopefully, I can get it done," Faizan said. "Especially back home, all of my friends tell me that I need to win this year."
Other runners-up have faced different struggles. Naysa Modi, who finished second in 2018, was eliminated in 2019 by a written test that winnowed the field to 50 spellers, only to watch in dismay as the bee declared eight co-champions who aced words that she also knew.
Simone Kaplan, the runner-up to those 2019 "octo-champs," didn't get a chance to come back because the 2020 bee was canceled due to COVID-19.
Chaitra Thummala, runner-up to Zaila Avant-garde in 2021, never contended again, despite having two more years before she aged out of the competition.
However, this year belongs to Faizan, who has proven that determination, hard work, and a little bit of luck can turn a setback into a comeback story for the history books.
The most recent Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Allen, Texas, demonstrated remarkable resilience on his way to victory. With no jackets or ties required in this year's competition, Faizan was a sight to behold, wearing a black hoodie and shaggy hair in his face as he confidently spelled his way to the top.
"I have a lot of support from my family and friends, and they've helped me to stay focused and motivated," Faizan said. "I'm excited to see what the future holds."
Historically, runners-up have faced long odds when it comes to winning the Spelling Bee championship, but Faizan is determined to defy the odds and make history.
"I'm going to keep working hard and studying, and I believe that I have a good chance to win," Faizan said. "I just have to stay focused and see what happens."
Faizan will compete in the finals on Thursday against eight other spellers for a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.
In another stunning display of perseverance, 8-year-old Zachary Teoh, a second-grader from Houston, who didn't make it past the quarterfinals, left a lasting impression on the competition's lead pronouncer, Jacques Bailly.
"Meeting Mr. Bailly was the highlight of my bee debut," Zachary said, eyes wide with excitement. "We got to read the dictionary together!"
Zachary, wearing a green tartan cardigan that he says has brought him luck since kindergarten, was better than half the field in his bee debut. He exited the competition during the quarterfinals, thanks to a vocabulary word he couldn't define.
If Zachary somehow makes it back to the bee in each of his six remaining years of eligibility, he would break the record of six appearances held by Akash Vukoti, who debuted in 2016 at age 6 and spelled his final word in 2023.
Ben Nuckols has covered the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2012. Follow his work here.
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In the vibrant city of Seattle, the weather forecast for the upcoming week indicates a mix of sunny and cloudy days, with temperatures slightly cooler than normal. Meanwhile, Faizan Zaki, the recent Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, is gearing up for an exciting week, as he dives into discussions about politics and shares his thoughts on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while also keeping a keen eye on the sports scene. As he works towards making history and defying the odds, Faizan continues to draw inspiration from his family and friends, who have been his significant support system throughout his remarkable journey.
