TODAY’s Carson Daly asks 13-year-old Jairam Hathwar and 11-year-old Nihar Janga how they’re feeling after their big wins-and stumps them with a spelling question!
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The spelling be was tougher than usual this year, after the two prior spelling bee’s ended in ties.
It was an exciting momentThursday night for 13-year-old Jairam Hathwar, taking home not only a trophy and major bragging rights, but $40,000!
They hailed from California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York and Texas. Nihar had two opportunities to win the title outright, but missed both times. Either would be the youngest victor on record. Jairam’s brother Sriram was the 2014 co-champion.
Jairam Hathwar, 13, of Painted Post, N.Y., left, and Nihar Janga, 11, of Austin, Texas, celebrate as co-champions during the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee, in National Harbor, Md.
Cooper Komatsu, 13, of Culver City, Calif., correctly spells “myoclonus” during the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md., Thursday, May 26, 2016.
We commend Ramon Padua Jr. for doing a fine job in representing Guam and the region at the 89th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Rutvik spelled his first words in the evening competition correctly.
Nihar and Jairam have become close friends over the past year, but Nihar said he didn’t consider misspelling on goal when he had chances to win. Well, take i’s quiz, using words from the contest, for yourself… The two winners will each receive $45,000 cash and prizes.
He then correctly spelled the word, bringing cheers from the crowd. “Now, I don’t have that edge over him to say, ‘Oh, at least I’ve won the spelling bee'”. The Scottsdale seventh-grader said she studied 20 to 30 minutes a night for the bee. They chatted while others were spelling, high-fived after their words and embraced after they won. “He’s going to go places”.
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Three spellers who finished in last year’s top 10 remain in the bee. Ultimately, both boys emerged as co-champions.
