"Oh God," said Rohan Raja, speller 462.
But the Texas seventh grader needn't have worried. He spelled "vintem" without trouble. It's a Portuguese coin worth twenty reales ((ray-AH-lays)) that was first issued in the late 15th century and was originally made of silver and later of bronze.
"It's definitely more competitive this year," Rohan said.
Rohan tied for 10th place last year.