Local boy wins National Spelling Bee

It was the first time the competitor showed any visible sign of nerves.

As he faced the pronouncer -- and inquiring about the origin and grammatical usage of the word that could be his undoing -- his voice sped up and rose slightly in pitch.

He took a breath, presumably to regain his composure. Then the eight-year-old delivered the crushing blow.

"C...A...V...I....A....R, caviar," said Zakhar Husak, a wide gap-toothed grin spreading over his face as the clapping and cheering from the crowd sealed his victory.

Yesterday Zakhar, of Hamilton, beat out 28 children between the ages of six and eight, to be crowned champion of the primary division at the Spelling Bee of Canada, 22nd Annual Championship Finals.

The competition was divided into three categories, with students between nine and 11 in the junior category and between 12 to 14 in the intermediate category. Coming in first place means Zakhar wins $1,000, a trophy and a pile of other prizes.

Zakhar has a training regimen: "I read from booklets and studied words from the year before."

In the primary category Niu Niu Wang, of Windsor, came in second; and Toronto's Neharika Nair, both aged eight, brought up the rear taking third place.