The Scripps National Spelling Bee competition is the real deal. Scores and scores of participants fight it out to win the coveted title in the event, which is dominated by Indian Americans. Even this year a lot of Indian American wizards entered competition out of which Karthik Nemmani emerged the winner.

It is worth mentioning here that the 14 year old outlasted well known spellers and clinched the title ‘koinonia’. The word refers to a Christian communion. In addition to a trophy Karthik will also be getting cash and prizes worth over $40,000.

Karthik from Mckinney, Texas also now has the pride of being the 14th consecutive Indian American champion in the Spelling Bee.

12 year old Naysa Modi and 11 year old Abhijay kodali earned the second and the third spot respectively. An interesting thing to know is Karthik didn’t win his regional or even county spelling bee. He even admitted to not knowing eight or nine words during the prime time finals. Well, no fussing- he’s the National Spelling Bee champion now!