Shrey Parikh Wins 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, defeating Ishaan Gupta in a lightning-round tiebreaker. - Shrey correctly spelled 32 words in 90 seconds during the spell-off, while Ishaan managed 25.

- He finished third in 2024 and missed last year's bee after a school-level upset due to illness. - The win marks the 31st champion of Indian heritage in the last 37 years.

- The lightning-round format, first used in 2022, drew criticism from purists but provided a decisive finish. Shrey's victory capped a remarkable comeback from a school bee elimination last year, where he blanked on the word "calipers" while ill.

He rededicated himself with intensive coaching and online competitions, never missing a word twice in practice.