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Indian-American kid charms US with spelling power

Last updated on: May 29, 2008 19:06 IST

Eight-year-old Sriram Hathwar is the youngest speller in the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and he isn't nervous because if there's one thing he can do, it's spell.

Hathwar will join 287 other competitors, the largest group ever, for the 81st National Spelling Bee loves to share and spell his favorite words.

Hathwar was only 7 years old when he secured a place in the 81st National Spelling Bee competition after spelling "impervious" in a regional spelling bee near his hometown of Pointed Post, New York.

Hathwar began playing with words when he was a toddler, according to his mom, Roopa, who practises medicine when she's not coaching her son.

Hathwar is obsessed with words -- playing Scrabble, constructing his own crossword puzzles and constantly asking his parents how to spell things.

He has an uncomplicated technique of spelling words, memory. If he is not sure about a word he repeats it a few times and asks for its origin. He uses flashcards and computer programs and has studied the words of past winners of the championship. 

Both his parents have studied in Bangalore, India, and are proud of their son for his achievement.