Éclaircissement': Watch 13-year-old win US National Spelling Bee
In a thrilling finale befitting of any Hollywood drama, Faizan Zaki managed to defeat eight other finalists, including last year's champion, Sarvadnya Kadam, to win the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States. With a French-derived word synonymous with enlightenment, "éclaircissement", he secured the title and took home a cash prize of $52,500.
The Journey to Triumph
This victory was especially sweet for Zaki, who lost to Kadam in a tiebreaker rapid-elimination round last year. At 13 years old, Zaki, who hails from Texas, outlasted his competitors and will forever be remembered as one of the nation's top spellers.