6 Indian-Origin Students Wins US National Spelling Bee

WASHINGTON: Six Indian-origin students are among the eight participants who won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes, after defeating over 550 other contestants in an unprecedented competition in the US.

It is the first time in the 94-year history of the competition that more than two co-champions have been named.

Rishik Gandhasri, 13, of California; Saketh Sundar, 13,



of Maryland; Shruthika Padhy, 13, of New Jersey; Sohum Sukhatankar, 13, of Texas; Abhijay Kodali, 12, of Texas; Rohan Raja, 13, of Texas; Christopher Serrao, 13, of New Jersey and Erin Howard, 14, of Alabama were named as co-champions, news reported on Friday.

Each will receive the full winner's prize of $50,000 in cash.

The six boys and two girls combined to spell the final 47 words correctly over five consecutive perfect rounds.