WASHINGTON – Shrey Parikh, a bright 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, recently made headlines by winning the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. This achievement marks the culmination of a six-year journey filled with both triumphs and setbacks.
As Shrey approached the microphone, he felt the familiar jitters, a mix of nerves and self-doubt. However, everything changed the moment he heard pronouncer Jacques Bailly announce his first word. With a confident nod, Shrey transformed his anxiety into determination, knowing that once he had the word, the power was in his hands.
Emerging as a favorite, Shrey didn’t disappoint. He showcased his spelling prowess, ultimately defeating Ishaan Gupta in a thrilling lightning-round tiebreaker. Shrey’s final performance was nothing short of spectacular—he correctly spelled 32 words in just 90 seconds, setting a record for this rapid-fire format.
His mother, Khyati Mehta, couldn’t contain her pride as she counted the words he spelled. “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,’” she expressed.
Despite a valiant effort from Ishaan, who spelled 25 words correctly, the competition was fierce. The two stood side by side as the results were announced, and Shrey graciously shook Ishaan’s hand after the contest concluded.
Shrey’s journey to this moment wasn’t easy. After finishing third in the previous year’s competition, he was determined to bounce back after a disappointing absence due to illness. He reflected on his last experience at his school bee, saying, “I was really dejected and just very upset. It didn’t even sink in until the next day.”
With renewed dedication, Shrey sought coaching and studied rigorously, analyzing every missed word to ensure he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Sohum Sukhatankar, a past champion and Shrey’s coach, praised his work ethic, stating, “He’d never miss a word twice.”
The final competition featured a mix of talent, with a strong group of finalists demonstrating their skills. However, the new spell-off format, which emphasizes speed, has been met with mixed reactions from purists who prefer traditional head-to-head battles. As Navneeth Murali, a former competitor, noted, “It’s a perversion of many values that I and many in the spelling community hold dear.”
With a grand prize of $52,500, a custom trophy, and a range of prizes, Shrey has a lot to celebrate. His win adds to a long legacy of champions with Indian heritage, reflecting a remarkable trend since Nupur Lala’s victory in 1999.
As Shrey enjoying this moment of victory, he expressed, “Right now I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m just so happy and relieved.” His father, Guarav Parikh, remarked on his son’s competitive spirit, saying, “When it comes to competition, he goes all the way.”
Shrey Parikh’s journey is an inspiring tale of resilience, hard work, and ultimately, success. For those aspiring spellers, his story serves as a reminder that overcoming challenges can lead to remarkable achievements.
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Ben Nuckols has covered the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2012. Follow his work here.
