Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from California, triumphs at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, showcasing resilience and skill after a challenging previous year.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shrey Parikh felt his nerves intensify each time he approached the microphone at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the culmination of a six-year journey filled with both victories and setbacks. However, when he heard the pronouncer, Jacques Bailly, his anxiety dissipated, replaced by a confident nod that signaled he was ready to tackle the words ahead of him.
“Once I get the word,” Shrey said, “I’m not really nervous anymore, because then it’s all in my control.”
On Thursday night, Shrey emerged as the National Spelling Bee champion, overcoming a competitive field and defeating Ishaan Gupta in a rapid-fire tiebreaker that showcased his remarkable spelling prowess. Shrey’s final performance included 32 correctly spelled words in just 90 seconds, setting a new record for the shootout-style finish that was first introduced in 2022.
“I was counting and I’m like, OK, this is more than 30,” said Shrey’s mother, Khyati Mehta. “And at that point, I’m like, ‘I think this is it.’”
Ishaan also performed admirably, spelling 25 words correctly during the spell-off, but he appeared more cautious from the outset. As Scripps officials announced the results to an enthusiastic crowd at Constitution Hall, Shrey turned to shake Ishaan’s hand, acknowledging the fierce competition they had just endured.
After Sarv Dharavane finished in third place for the second consecutive year, Shrey and Ishaan faced only one conventional round before the buzzer for the spell-off was introduced. Shrey experienced a brief moment of anxiety as he waited for technicians to resolve a technical glitch with the buzzer.
“That was really, like, scary for me,” he admitted.
The rapid pace of the spell-off made it difficult to pinpoint the word that secured Shrey’s victory, but Scripps later confirmed that “bromocriptine,” a polypeptide alkaloid that mimics dopamine, was the winning word. Shrey’s achievement earned him a prize package worth $52,500, including cash and a custom trophy.
With this victory, Shrey becomes the 31st champion in the past 37 years with Indian heritage, a trend that began with Nupur Lala’s win in 1999.
Shrey’s journey to the title was not without its challenges. The 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, had a unique path to the championship. He finished third in 2024 but was absent the previous year due to a virus that left him feeling unwell. During his school’s spelling bee, he faltered on the word “calipers,” a moment that left him feeling dejected.
“Right now I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m just so happy and relieved, and just such a flood of emotions,” Shrey expressed. “At my school bee last year, I was really dejected and just very upset. It didn’t even sink in until the next day. I had a really tough time, but I’m glad I was able to bounce back.”
After taking some time off, Shrey rededicated himself to his craft, seeking every possible advantage through coaching and study materials. He excelled in online competitions against many of the same spellers he faced in Washington, consistently coming out on top.
“Whenever I would quiz him, he would take notice of his missed words. He’d analyze every missed word he had, trying to figure out why he missed it,” said Sohum Sukhatankar, a co-champion in 2019 who coached Shrey alongside Sam Evans and Vijaya Ganesh. “All the time I coached him, he’d never miss a word twice.”
Evans, who has trained each of the past three champions, noted Shrey’s exceptional work ethic. “I’ve really never seen someone put this much effort into spelling bees, into learning everything that he possibly can,” Evans said. “Shrey is relentless.”
The format of the spell-off has drawn mixed reactions from spelling enthusiasts, as it prioritizes speed and memorization over the traditional head-to-head battle that many prefer. “It’s a perversion of many values that I and many in the spelling community hold dear,” said Navneeth Murali, a former competitor turned coach. “I think everyone would have liked to see a duel, but it looks like the spell-off is here to stay.”
The finals featured a talented group of nine finalists who began the competition by successfully spelling all 18 words in the initial rounds. However, the streak ended when Aiden Meng stumbled over “catometope.” The audience gasped as two strong contenders, Oliver Halkett and Zwe Spacetime, were eliminated shortly after, both eighth-graders who have now aged out of the competition.
Sarv, a 12-year-old sixth-grader from Dunwoody, Georgia, still has two years of eligibility left, while Ishaan, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Jersey City, New Jersey, can also return next year.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee’s move from a suburban convention center to Constitution Hall sparked some debate among participants and their families due to logistical challenges. However, the finals on Thursday were marked by a vibrant atmosphere, with improved seating and sightlines that brought the audience closer to the action. The event was hosted by ESPN’s Mina Kimes alongside longtime analyst Paul Loeffler.
Despite the ongoing discussions about the format used to determine the champion, there is no doubt that Shrey Parikh earned his title through hard work and determination. “When it comes to competition, he goes all the way,” said his father, Guarav Parikh. As Evans aptly put it, “He’s got that dog in him.”
According to The Associated Press, Shrey’s victory is a testament to his resilience and dedication in the world of competitive spelling.