E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson, right, holds the trophy over winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Shrey Parikh, 14, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., at DAR Constitution Hall, Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has been crowned the champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee following a dramatic lightning-round tiebreaker.Parikh secured his victory by correctly spelling a record-breaking 32 words in just 90 seconds, ultimately defeating Ishaan Gupta, who managed 25 words.This triumph marks the culmination of a six-year competitive spelling career for Parikh, who overcame significant nerves and a previous setback where he missed a regional bee due to illness.His win comes with a substantial prize package, including $52,500 in cash and a custom trophy, and continues a notable trend of champions of Indian heritage.The lightning-round format, which prioritises speed and memorisation, has sparked debate among spelling bee purists who prefer the traditional head-to-head duel.In fullNational Spelling Bee winner’s prize and winning word revealed after dramatic victory