A diligent speller whose favorite English word is ¡°floccinaucinihilipilification,¡± or ¡°the action or habit of estimating something as worthless,¡± proved his exceptional talent by correctly spelling the championship word ¡°snood¡± to clinch the 6th Japan Times Bee on Saturday at Japan Times Nifco Hall in Tokyo.

Sean Fogerty, a 13-year-old student from Robert D. Edgren High School in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, defeated 40 rival spelling wizards representing schools across Japan for this year¡¯s event.

¡°I can¡¯t believe it . . . I can¡¯t comprehend it,¡± Fogerty said after winning the trophy. In the two previous contests he took part in, he fell short of the final round.