Faizan Zaki, 14, an eighth-grader, was champion of the elite Scripps National Spelling Bee, walking away with a cash prize of $52,500. His incredible accomplishment is the beginning of a new chapter in his young life. It’s something that makes him very proud, and it puts him in the elite company of spellers. Zaki became the fifth runner-up in a century to return and claim the championship title after previously finishing in the top ranks. The speller that most recently accomplished such a remarkable feat was Sean Conley in 2001.
So far, Zaki has won a combined $77,500 from the Bee. This is an astounding sum, and it certainly reflects his hard work and remarkable traction in that contest’s primary. During his last appearance in the competition, Zaki raised his arms in celebration. Healthy, well-prepared words like eclaircissement reflected his months and years of practice, dedication, training, and competitive fires burning for success.
The 2021 competition quickly became a heart-pounding virtual rollercoaster for the young speller. Zaki may have initially tripped over a word, but he soon bounced back and took home the win! He prepared hard for a whole year, training his speed to not make the same mistakes again. This rigorous training provided the fire behind his comeback to the bee. Zaki Anwar, Zaki’s father, was proud to call his son the “GOAT.” He trumpeted Zaki’s rare genius and fierce dedication to the art of spelling.
“My father believes in me more than I believe in myself,” Zaki said, reflecting on the support he receives from his family. His parents emigrated from southern India, and their impact has been critical in forming his path.
Zaki went a very different route in the months leading up to the competition. Overcorrecting in practice sessions, he focused on speed after coming up short in last year’s spell-off due to a lack of preparation. He pranced about past weighty phraseology with childlike abandon. At the same time, he rocked a pretty awesome shiny black hooded sweatshirt at the Conference.
Zaki’s journey has been far from easy. Even though his passion for spelling almost got the best of him during the bee, he showed composure, grit and tenacity. He had a strong support system in place, including three coaches: Scott Remer, Sam Evans, and Sohum Sukhantankar. Each coach contributed unique advantages to his tremendous preparation.
He’s out of his mind. He’s having fun, and he’s engaged in what he’s passionate about, which is spelling — a contested art form. said Sam Evans, counsel for plaintiffs, regarding Zaki’s approach to the competition.
Zaki’s passion for spelling is evident. Bruhat Soma, one of Zaki’s other mentors, remembered that in his free time, Zaki loved looking up archaic, obsolete words. “One thing that differentiates him is he really has a passion for this,” Soma said. “I don’t think he cares as much about the title as his passion for language and words.”
Even with his coach’s clear-sightedness, Zaki still keeps good humor in looking back on his serious training. “No offense to Bruhat, but I think he really took the bee a little too seriously,” he quipped.
