It’s A Tie! National Spelling Bee Gets Co-Champions For The First Time Since 1962!
For the first time since 1962, the Scripps National Spelling Bee crowned two equally talented youngsters as c0-champions, reports ABC News. In a nail biting finish to the finals of the 87th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, it was Ansun Sujoe and Sriram Hathwar who controlled their nerves and took home the coveted $30,000 prize.
Both of the spelling wizards did not make a single mistake in the entire round. The word that mattered in the end was “Feuilleton,” which Sujoe spelt correctly to win the title and share it with Sriram. In case you’re wondering, Feuilleton refers to “a section of a European newspaper meant to entertain the general reader.” The two teenagers were so good at what they do, Spelling Bee judges actually ran out of words to ask them!
The last tie was 1962. So yes, rare. RT @jessicabanov: Is it rare for @ScrippsBee to run out of words? #ScrippsNationalSpellingBee
— NationalSpellingBee (@ScrippsBee) May 30, 2014
Prior to the final word, the boys took turns spelling words like augenphilologie, sdrucciola, holluschick, thymelici, paixtle, encaenia, terreplein and stichomythia – some of which my Microsoft word dictionary lists as “wrong”! As for the winners, it is Sujoe’s second trip to the National Spelling Bee. The 13-year-old, according to CNN, is a student at the Bethesda Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas.
Sriram Hathwar happens to be a five time visitor to the Spelling Bee. A student of the Alternative School for Math and Science in Corning, New York, Sriram also participated in the 2008 edition of the Spelling Bee as an 8-year-old. Back then, while he didn’t win, he did set the record for being the youngest competitor at the Spelling Bee. In 2013, he settled for third place. He was also this years favorite to win the competition.
This was the winning moment.
Prior to 1962, there have been only two other instances of a tie at the Spelling Bee, when co-champions were crowned in 1950 and 1957.
Co-champions! pic.twitter.com/QnV8LNA40h
— NationalSpellingBee (@ScrippsBee) May 30, 2014
Needless to say, this year’s winners now enter the history books for their remarkable victory.
Meanwhile, the White House congratulated the winners.
Congrats to Ansun and Sriram, the incredible co-champs of the #ScrippsNationalSpellingBee. You make us all proud! -bo
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 30, 2014
The 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee had 281 contestants from eight countries battling it out for the coveted title. The finals were broadcast live on ESPN.
Did you watch the 2014 National Spelling Bee?
[Image via National Spelling Bee, Facebook]
