More than 180 young spellers from seven provinces gathered in Ottawa this July for the 2026 Canada Spelling Bee National Championships, demonstrating that in an age of artificial intelligence and digital shortcuts, the ability to master language, think critically, and persevere under pressure remains as relevant as ever.
Held over two days, July 17 and 18, the national finals brought together students who had earned their place through school and regional competitions across the country. Before the championship began, participants attended a summer language camp that gave them the opportunity to get to know one another while exploring the fascinating world of linguistics, etymology, and the history of the English language. The camp transformed what could have been simply a competition into a shared educational experience, creating friendships that extended well beyond the stage.
This year’s championships also reached a wider audience than ever before, with the finals broadcast by CBC, giving Canadians an opportunity to witness the remarkable poise, confidence, and academic achievement displayed by students ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 8.
At the conclusion of an exciting competition, Abigail Zhou, a Grade 4 student from Oakville, Ontario, captured the national championship title. Her victory was especially impressive given the depth of talent in this year’s field and the fact that she competed against many older students. Finishing second was Gia Mahesh, a Grade 7 student from Mississauga, while Alisha Wu, a Grade 8 student from Ottawa, earned third place.
Ottawa-area competitors were strongly represented throughout the championships. Jasper Berrigan of Manotick finished in a tie for fourth place, while Atharva Narasimha and Sanjana Vineet, both from Kanata, earned places among the nation’s top competitors.
The remaining top finishers reflected the national reach of the competition: Adam Sharif of Mississauga tied for fourth, while Lokapoojan Manikandan of Edmonton, Audrey Wang and Catherine Liu of Richmond Hill, and Jadd Almunajim of Milton all shared sixth-place honours.
While trophies recognize exceptional performances, organizers emphasize that the Canada Super Spelling Bee has always been about much more than winning. The program encourages students to build stronger vocabularies, improve reading comprehension, develop public speaking skills, and gain confidence through disciplined preparation. Those lessons often extend well beyond the competition itself, helping participants succeed academically and personally long after the final word has been spelled.
The Canada Super Spelling Bee has grown because it offers much more than medals and trophies. Students arrive eager to compete, but they leave with new friendships, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for language. Behind every competitor is a network of parents, teachers, volunteers, and sponsors who share the belief that strong literacy skills open doors for young Canadians.
The addition of the summer language camp has further strengthened that mission. Rather than arriving as strangers, participants learned together, exchanged ideas, and built friendships before stepping onto the competition stage. For many students, those connections become one of the most memorable aspects of the national championships.
This year’s event also reflected the growing profile of the Canada Super Spelling Bee. The national CBC broadcast introduced even more Canadians to the remarkable dedication displayed by these young scholars and highlighted the importance of celebrating academic excellence alongside athletic and artistic achievement. Jaden Zhang, Canada Super Spelling Bee organizer said that, “It’s beyond exciting to see such a motivated community of spellers grow throughout the years. It’s encouraging to see that parents and teachers understand not only that literacy and vocabulary matter, but confidence and critical thinking in high-pressure environments is crucial as well. As the community grows across Canada, we know the competition will as well, and we look forward to an even more exhilarating competition next year!”
The championship would not be possible without the support of sponsors, volunteers, educators, judges, and hundreds of parents who invest countless hours helping students prepare throughout the year. Their commitment reinforces the idea that literacy is a community effort—one that pays dividends in classrooms, careers, and civic life. “Whether spelling complex words or learning to swim, building confidence requires structure and support,” said Rebecca Swedlove, owner and operator of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Kanata and Orléans. “We are proud to support this year’s spellers as they take on new challenges that will serve them for years to come.”
Ms. Jenn Chen currently serves as a Director at Pine Wind Capital, the exclusive Gold Sponsor of the Canada National Super Spelling Bee, bringing with her extensive investment experience and a global perspective: “Seeing the children confidently and calmly respond on stage reinforced my belief that what truly deserves investment is not just capital, but the growth, education, and character of the next generation. Investing in the next generation is always a meaningful journey.”
For champion Abigail Zhou, the victory represents the culmination of months of preparation, determination, and resilience. Like every competitor who stood behind the microphone this year, she demonstrated that success comes not only from knowing how to spell difficult words but also from having the confidence to perform under pressure and the determination to keep learning. When I got called to spell ‘analgesic,’ I was worried I might get an extremely hard word, so ‘analgesic’ was actually kind of a relief. I was ecstatic when they told me I’d spelled it correctly. I think reading a lot helped me expand my vocabulary and prepare for the spelling bee – it reminds me of what Dr. Seuss said: “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Using the language skills I gained from reading, I got to take part in the Canada Super Spelling Bee, something I never would have done otherwise. So, if you’re on the fence about signing up next year, just go for it; you might surprise yourself!”
As the 2026 championships conclude, the Canada Super Spelling Bee continues to demonstrate that literacy remains one of the most powerful tools a young person can develop. By bringing together talented students from across the country to celebrate language, curiosity, and lifelong learning, the competition is helping build a stronger, more connected generation of Canadians—one word at a time.
For more information about the Canada Super Spelling Bee, including how to register for next year’s competition, visit canadaspellingbee.com or reach out at info@canadaspellingbee.com.
