Scripps Spelling Bee officials changed the rules this year – they were hoping to prevent a tie for the third year in a row, but it wasn’t to be. The 13-year-old had to spell the word, haab, which is the 365-day year of the Maya calender. “It is on ESPN that’s what it is, it is their sport”, said Snehaa’s Science teacher Stacey Mohler.
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They both got their words right and the audience erupted in cheers. “I can’t sit down”.
The co-champions were 13 year old Jairam Hathwar and 11 year old Nihar “The Machine” Janga.
“I’m just speechless”, Nihar said.
Records of early Scripps bees are incomplete, but at 11, Nihar appears to be the youngest ever victor.
Once again, two kids earned a co-championship at the National Spelling Bee.
The spellers will take home $40,000 in cash and other prizes.
While America’s best spellers were busy testing their knowledge with words like “gesellschaft”, “groenedael”, “zindiq” and “euchologion” Thursday night, some of the nation’s worst spellers were being shamed on social media.
“I didn’t think I could do it because there are a lot of really good spellers”, Nihar said.
And if his name sounds familiar, it could be because this spelling bee has become a family tradition. The Folsom, California-native only lasted one round against Nihar and Jairam, spelling the word “usucapion” (a mode of acquiring a title to property) incorrectly.
Previously, the youngest known champion was Wendy Guey, who won 20 years ago aged 12. He got “rafraichissoir” (a table of the 18th century) correct, but flubbed on “ayacahuite” (a large Mexican pine tree). First, he never expected to win.
The Bee has produced co-champs three straight years.
Janga hailsfromAustin, Texas, where he is a fifth grader at River Ridge Elementary School. “He’s going to go places”.
Nihar and Jairam’s parents are immigrants from south India, continuing a remarkable run of success for Indian-American spellers that began in 1999 with Nupur Lala’s victory, which was later featured in the documentary “Spellbound”.
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Last year, Vanya Shivashankar and Gokul Venkatachalam were declared co-champions. In 2012 there was a 6-year-old in the competition, so Vukoti’s appearance is not entirely unprecedented.
