Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 98th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. In a high-stakes lightning-round tiebreaker, Parikh spelled 32 words correctly in 90 seconds, surpassing Ishaan Gupta, who spelled 25 words. The victory marks the end of a six-year competitive spelling career for Parikh, who arrived as a favorite and dominated the final rounds.
A Nail-Biting Finish
The competition narrowed to two finalists—Parikh and 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta from Jersey City, New Jersey—after 18 rounds of spelling. The tiebreaker, a rapid-fire spell-off introduced in 2022, required each finalist to spell as many words as possible within 90 seconds. Parikh's performance set a new record for the most words spelled correctly in the tiebreaker.
The Road to Victory
Parikh's journey to the championship was marked by confidence and composure. Despite initial nerves, he described feeling in control once he received each word. His mother, Khyati Mehta, noted the moment she realized her son had secured the win: “I was counting and I'm like, OK, this is more than 30. And at that point, I'm like, ‘I think this is it.’”
Other Notable Performances
Sarv Dharavane, a DeKalb County middle schooler, finished in third place for the second consecutive year. He missed the word ‘disa’ (a type of tropical African orchid) in Round 17. Georgia’s runner-up, Sreeya Lakkimsetti, tied for 30th place after misspelling ‘vancomycin,’ an antibiotic.
The Prize and Legacy
As the 111th Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, Parikh receives $52,500 in cash, reference works from Encyclopaedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster, a custom trophy, a commemorative medal, and $1,000 in flight credits from Delta Air Lines. The bee, which began with 247 spellers from 50 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, and five other countries, showcased the intellectual prowess of young competitors.
The Future of the Bee
The 2026 competition highlighted the evolving format of the bee, including the spell-off tiebreaker. Parikh expressed a preference for traditional spelling rounds but adapted to the new format with remarkable success. The event continues to be a platform for young spellers to demonstrate their linguistic skills and resilience under pressure.