Jacques Bailly and Jairam Hathwar

Nihar: He looked like the strongest speller onstage, stronger even than his eventual co-champion, 13-year-old Jairam Hathwar, a blue-chip speller whose older brother hoisted the trophy two years ago, according to Toronto Star. At his best, Nihar turned the tables on bee pronouncer Jacques Bailly by shouting out the definitions of his words as soon as they were announced. The 11-year-old breezed up to the microphone with confidence, and most of his words, he knew right away. Biniou, Bailly said. Article Continued Below After the crowd quieted, Bailly asked Nihar if he wanted the word used in a sentence. Is this the Breton bagpipe Nihar said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.