By: Troy MacNeill

Update: One of the youngest competitors in the spelling bee this year, Avinav made it through to the semi-final round before bowing out.

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 31, 2022) – An avid lover of Taekwondo and Amateur Athletic Union’s own, Avinav Prem Anand, exemplifies what it means to be a STUDENT-athlete. Avinav will be competing in the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee, starting today, May 31.
 
Avinav joins 233 finalists from around the world as they compete to see who can out spell the rest. The Ohio native is only 11 years old, but he is more than prepared to compete on a larger stage. Avinav loves Taekwondo. He competed at the 2021 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston, where he took home six gold medals. He followed that up by earning five gold medals and two silver medals at the AAU Fall Nationals.
 
Avinav’s dedication to the sport earned him a black belt at a young age. Now he prepares to show how much he has been preparing for the Spelling Bee. His parents sat down with Idaho News 6 and discussed his dream and how AAU Taekwondo has prepared him.
 
“During taekwondo tournaments, he has to have the highest level of concentration and be precise. He knows that at least three judges and hundreds of spectators are watching him,” his mother stated. “Even the slightest wobble might put him out of the tournament. He is trained to perform under pressure and he applies the same to [the Bee].”
 
Avinav told reporters that his motto is: “Practice like it is the competition and when in competition feel like you are in practice.”
 
The 94^th Scripps National Spelling Bee will be televised on ION. The semifinals will air on June 1, with the finals being shown on June 2.
 
Good luck Avinav! Everyone here at AAU is incredibly proud of your hard work and dedication. We are all rooting for you.