For the second year in a row, we have a pair of co-champions in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, reports the Washington Post
Gokul Venkatachalam, 14, and Vanya Shivashankar, 13, jointly lifted the championship trophy and walked away with $35,000 each.
“It was the culmination of all the hard work of the past six years. I’m finally happy to have success,” said Venkatachalam who has competed five times in the tournament.
“I’ve wanted this for such a long time,” said Shivashankar who was also appearing in the tournament for the fifth time and who dedicated her win to her late grandmother. “I hope I make her happy with this.”
In case you’re counting at home, this is the eight year in a row an Indian American has won the tournament. Tournament officials credit the perseverance of the contestants for the string of victories pointing out that many compete year after year.
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To read more about this string of victories and the troublesome media coverage, read this piece from Deepa Iyer in Colorlines.
To watch the exciting moment of victory, watch the video below from ESPN.