logo
Spelling Zaki: Teen with Telangana roots stings the Spelling Bee

Spelling Zaki: Teen with Telangana roots stings the Spelling Bee

Time of India09-06-2025
Hyderabad: Fresh off his triumph at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki reflects on a remarkable journey — from a small private school classroom to one of America's most prestigious academic stages.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The Indian-American teen clinched the championship by correctly spelling "éclaircissement," a French word meaning "an enlightening explanation."
Faizan, generous at heart, plans to donate part of his $50,000 prize money to support underprivileged communities in both the US and India. "I've been blessed with opportunities, but I know many others aren't as fortunate," he says. "We haven't finalised where to donate yet, but I hope my contribution gives others a chance to shine."
His spelling bee journey began in first grade when his school made participation mandatory. "I got lucky and won, and that success motivated me to aim higher," he recalls. But his early years were far from easy. "I started as a rookie with little knowledge of language patterns, roots, and exceptions," he says. Things changed when he joined a group chat of fellow spellers, where he picked up vital strategies and coaching tips.
Faizan's preparation was intense. He read dictionaries, studied thousands of words using SpellPundit, and often stayed up past 2 am juggling homework and spelling practice. "Balancing both was tough," he admits.
Crucial to his success were his coaches, who conducted rapid-fire drills to plug his weak spots. Faizan also relied on Google Sheets to track tricky words and used Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary to master obscure etymologies and letter patterns.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Born and raised in the US, Faizan's roots trace back to Telangana. His father, Anwar Zaki, hails from Khammam, while his mother, Dr Arshia Quadri, is from Hyderabad and studied medicine at Gandhi Medical College.
The family has made regular visits to India, with the most recent one in July 2023. "This year, we had to skip the trip due to Faizan's preparation, but we plan to visit again soon," says Anwar, who has lived in the US since 1997.
Faizan remembers the moment the final word was announced. "I recognised it instantly. I knew I had it," he says. "Spelling each letter clearly, I felt relief and joy when I realised I'd won. It was the culmination of a seven-year journey."
His victory sparked celebrations not just in the US but also in Hyderabad and Khammam. "My grandma from Khammam and aunt called us right after the news broke — they were thrilled," he says.
"I love visiting Hyderabad and Khammam — the kindness of people, the amazing food, and the mix of greenery and modernity always stay with me," Faizan says. Representing the Indian-American community on such a big stage was also deeply meaningful. "My dad always said, 'This win is for the entire Indian diaspora,' and that inspired me to push harder."
A fan of competitive maths, Faizan hopes to pursue it further. Outside academics, he enjoys playing the viola, speedcubing, and hanging out with friends — many of whom he met through spelling bees and still keeps in touch with. "These friendships are among the most rewarding parts of my journey," he says.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This actress created controversy when she romanced her own brother on big screens, shot movies during pregnancy, lost her memory due to..., she was...
This actress created controversy when she romanced her own brother on big screens, shot movies during pregnancy, lost her memory due to..., she was...

India.com

time17 minutes ago

  • India.com

This actress created controversy when she romanced her own brother on big screens, shot movies during pregnancy, lost her memory due to..., she was...

If people think that controversies only erupted in Bollywood in the 2000s and the following years, then they are completely wrong. What if we tell you that controversies in Indian cinema go way back to the 1940s and 50s? Yes, that's correct. Today, we will discuss an actress who became embroiled in controversy when she romanced her own brother on-screen. If you are wondering who this actress was, let us tell you — we are talking about none other than Minoo Mumtaz. Who is Minoo Mumtaz? Minoo is the younger sister of legendary comedian Mehmood and the aunt of Lucky Ali. Minoo made her mark in Hindi cinema at the young age of just 13. Her father, Mumtaz Ali, was also a famous actor and dancer at Bombay Talkies. However, when Ali's career was destroyed due to alcohol addiction, his daughter Minoo Mumtaz took on the responsibility of caring for her seven siblings and joined a drama troupe. When poverty struck, Minoo, despite not being the eldest, had to take up the household responsibilities by performing in plays. After her, her elder brother Mehmood also started working as a child artist in films. When Minoo entered films with the 1955 movie Sakhi Hakim, she was just 13 years old. Minoo Mumtaz's elder brother and comedian Mehmood was married to Meena Kumari's sister, Madhu. Because of this relationship, Meena Kumari, who was the sister of Minoo's sister-in-law, helped her a lot. It was Meena Kumari who changed her name from Malikunnisa to Minoo Mumtaz when she entered the film industry. Minoo Mumtaz Romanced Her Elder Brother Minoo found herself in controversy when she was offered the song Gora Rang Chunariya Kali. Opposite Minoo in the song was her brother Mehmood. The two were seen romancing each other in the sequence. When the film was released, people were shocked. After the release, Minoo was surrounded by controversies, and many people even demanded that the brother-sister duo be banned from films. Minu tied the knot with Ali Akbar and had four kids. She was working even while pregnant. In 2003, Minu lost her memory and was taken to hsopital, the doctors told the family that she had a 4-inch tumor in her brain and it had been growing for the past 15 years. Minu Mumtaz died on October 23, 2021.

'She is more famous than me': Ben Shelton hilariously opens up about dating Trinity Rodman at the Citi DC Open
'She is more famous than me': Ben Shelton hilariously opens up about dating Trinity Rodman at the Citi DC Open

Time of India

time30 minutes ago

  • Time of India

'She is more famous than me': Ben Shelton hilariously opens up about dating Trinity Rodman at the Citi DC Open

'She is more famous than me': Ben Shelton hilariously opens up about dating Trinity Rodman at the Citi DC Open (Image via People) Ben Shelton is winning matches at the Citi DC Open, but it's his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, who's turning more heads in Washington. The tennis star recently joked that she gets more attention than him and even needs extra security while walking around. As fans cheer for both, Shelton's proud to see how much the city loves Rodman and it's clear she's just as proud, cheering him on every step of the way. Ben Shelton enjoys home crowd in Washington as Trinity Rodman steals the spotlight 22-year-old Ben Shelton is presently competing in Washington, D. C. , at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open. Fans are applauding Shelton's tennis ability, but Shelton recently admitted that Trinity Rodman, his lover, is drawing far more attention. Ben Shelton stated during an interview after the game this week that Rodman is so well-known in Washington that she needs added protection as she moves through the throng. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) Since March 2025, Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman have been dating openly. A key soccer player for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL's Washington Spirit, Rodman, 22, is With Shelton's D. C. games underway, the couple has been observed having fun together, fans pouring love for both of them. 'She's definitely more famous than me around here. She needs more security walking around the ground. That's for sure,' Ben Shelton told reporters at the Citi Open. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Have No Words For Dog The Bounty Hunter's Transformation Cash Roadster Undo Trinity Rodman's popularity grows as she supports Ben Shelton in Washington Trinity Rodman, who joined the Washington Spirit in 2021 as the youngest player ever drafted into the NWSL, has become one of the city's biggest sports names. She helped her team win the league title in her debut season and has scored 23 goals in 83 games so far. She was witnessed at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center cheering for Shelton, sporting a shirt with his face on it during his doubles match this week. Though she hasn't given up supporting Shelton, Rodman has been dealing with a back injury that has kept her off the soccer field. Also Read: Emma Raducanu Defeats Naomi Osaka At Citi Open To Set Up Quarterfinal Clash With Maria Sakkari The couple's sweet moments have caught fans' attention online. Rodman even posted summer photos on Instagram, writing, 'Not the summer I had in mind but still loved every moment. Can't wait to be back in the field.' In the meantime, Ben Shelton has advanced to the Citi Open quarterfinals. In straight sets, he defeated Gabriel Diallo and Mackenzie McDonald; sixth seed fellow American Frances Tiafoe will be his next opponent. FAQs Who is Trinity Rodman dating in 2025? She is dating American tennis player Ben Shelton. Where does Trinity Rodman play soccer? She plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). When did Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman confirm their relationship? They confirmed it in March 2025 through Instagram. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Watch: UK theatre halts Indian movie screening midway; debate over audience behaviour
Watch: UK theatre halts Indian movie screening midway; debate over audience behaviour

Time of India

time33 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Watch: UK theatre halts Indian movie screening midway; debate over audience behaviour

A video circulating on social media has gone viral after a UK theatre halted an Indian movie screening midway. capturing a rather dramatic pause during a screening of the Telugu film Hari Hara Veera Mallu at a UK theatre has gone viral, igniting a fierce debate across social media. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The footage was shared on X by user @UB1UB2 where theatre staff was seen confronting audience members mid-screening of Telugu film Hari Hara Veera Mallu after audience members allegedly threw confetti and created a mess in the auditorium. The short clip shows theatre staff addressing the crowd directly, urging them to maintain decorum. The video has garnered thousands of views and stirred strong reactions online. While some users defended the theatre's decision, others criticised the staff for interrupting the screening. 'Honestly, this is embarrassing. Respect the space you're in. Just because it's an Indian film doesn't mean rules don't apply,' one user commented. Another said, 'This is why many theatres abroad are wary of Indian movie releases. We need to be better ambassadors of our cinema.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store