Fourteen-year-old Indian-American student Shrey Parikh from California has won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, emerging victorious after a thrilling spell-off round. The eighth-grade student from Day Creek Intermediate School correctly spelled 32 out of 35 words within 90 seconds, setting a new spell-off record and surpassing the previous mark established in 2024.
Parikh secured the championship by correctly spelling “Bromocriptine,” a dopamine-mimicking alkaloid used in medical treatments. He defeated 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta of New Jersey, who finished as runner-up, while Sarv Dharavane of Georgia claimed third place. Ishaan received $25,000 in prize money, while Sarv earned $15,000.
As the champion, Parikh was awarded $50,000 in cash, the prestigious Scripps Cup, a commemorative medal, $2,500 from Merriam-Webster, $1,000 in Delta flight credits, and reference materials from Encyclopaedia Britannica.
The three-day competition featured 247 contestants representing all 50 U.S. states, several territories, Department of Defense schools in Europe, and participants from countries including Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates. Nine contestants advanced to the finals, with five of them being of Indian origin.
Parikh is no stranger to the competition. He previously participated in 2022, finishing tied for 89th place, and reached a tie for third place in 2024. Beyond spelling, he enjoys tennis, chess, reading, mathematics, and playing percussion instruments in his school band. One of his recent achievements includes qualifying for the California State Mathcounts competition.
The victory continues the remarkable legacy of Indian-origin students in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since Balu Natarajan became the first Indian-origin winner in 1985, students of Indian heritage have consistently excelled in the prestigious competition.
