Faizan Zaki correctly spelled the French-originated term “éclaircissement,” which is equivalent to enlightenment, to secure the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee victory in the United States.
Zaki, a 13-year-old from Texas, outspelled eight other finalists and triumphed over previous year’s winner, Sarvadnya Kadam, to secure the trophy and a $52,500 cash prize.
In 2024, Zaki had been defeated by Kadam in a tiebreaker rapid-elimination round, signifying his comeback at the prestigious competition this year.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c0r19l89ddno
