Faizan Zaki and His Coaches Address Shocking Flub Before Scripps National Spelling Bee Win: 'I Was Stunned'

Published: Friday, May 30, 2025 at 6:16 pm

Spelling Bee Champion Overcomes Blunder to Claim Victory

Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old spelling prodigy, has triumphed at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, overcoming a nail-biting moment that could have cost him the win. The young speller, who was last year's runner-up, faced a shocking flub during the final round, nearly jeopardizing his chance at the coveted title.

Zaki, just two words away from victory, stumbled while spelling "commelina," a word he rushed into without asking clarifying questions. He started to spell, paused, and then, realizing his mistake, told the judge to ring the bell. This resulted in a reset, sending two spellers back into the competition.

Fortunately, Zaki's story didn't end there. He ultimately secured the win in the 11th round of the finals, correctly spelling "claircissement," a word meaning "a clearing up of something obscure."

Zaki's coaches, including Scott Remer, expressed their shock at the initial blunder. Remer told The New York Times he was "stunned" but remained "cautiously optimistic." Zaki himself admitted he'd be having nightmares about the moment.

The champion, who dedicated nearly 40 hours a week to practice, shared his experience on Good Morning America. He described the final moments as breathless, "hyperventilating with excitement." Zaki also revealed his casual approach to the competition, stating, "I'm definitely confident but not overconfident." The centennial competition featured 243 students from the U.S. and around the globe, making Zaki's victory even more impressive.

Keywords: Scripps National Spelling Bee, Faizan Zaki, spelling bee, commelina, claircissement, spelling, champion, winner, flub, Good Morning America, spelling competition, Scott Remer, 2025, teen, runner-up

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