By now you know (especially if you read this site!) that Gokul Venkatachalam isn’t just the best spelling kid in the whole damn country, but that he’s been taking social media over with his rarified collection of Air Jordan sneakers. And because it isn’t often that spelling bee champions also have an interest in swagged-out gear, naturally, we got Gokul on the line to talk about sneakers, spelling bee outfits, and put him on the spot to spell the name of one the rarest Jordans of all-time.

**When did you first start collecting Air Jordans? **

Not that long ago because I was worried my foot would grow, and I would grow out of them.

**What size are you? **

I’m like a 9.

**Are you worried that you’re going to grow out of them? **

Yeah, but I make sure to buy them big so I don’t have to worry about that.

**How do you usually buy them? **

I use a site called KickSupply.com where people can buy and sell their sneakers/

**Have you ever bought a pair and then resold it on the aftermarket? **

No, I don’t really like doing that. I actually did try to buy a pair of Foamposites that were coming out recently to re-sell them, but they sold out.

**What’s your favorite pair? **

Definitely the “Legend Blue” XIs I wore yesterday.

**Those have got to be your lucky pair now, right? **

Yeah, obviously!

**Which Jordans in your collection have people not yet seen? **

I really like my XIIs, the “Taxis.”

**How many pairs do you have total? **

I have five, so you can’t really say I’m some huge collector or anything, but I’m working on it.

**Are there any other kids you’ve met in your travels or during competitions who are also in Jordans? Or are you pretty much the only one? **

Yeah I don’t really think it’s, like, the right competition to be talking to kids about Jordans [laughs]. I’m actually, like, the only kid even in basketball shoes, let alone Jordans. Most kids just wear whatever shoes they like.

**Why do you think your swag has gotten so much attention on social media in the past 24 hours? **

I think most people think of the Spelling Bee competition as, like, nerdy or whatever, so when they see me in my Jordans I just think a lot of people can relate to it and think it’s cool.

**Are you into other types of clothes, or just sneakers for now? **

Just sneakers for now.

**A lot of people also saw you wearing a LeBron jersey under your shirt last night. Do you have a lot of LeBron sneakers, or just Jordans?**Just Jordans. I used to have a pair of LeBrons but I grew out of them. And, well, sorry LeBron, but I don’t like your new sneakers.

I have a little spelling pop quiz for you. Can you spell “Doernbecher” [a rare type of Air Jordan made in collaboration with the children’s hospital in Portland, Oregon]

[Without hesitation] D-O-E-R-N-B-E-C-H-E-R. And can you also include in there that I want Nike or Jordan to give me an endorsement deal?

We can definitely do that [Editor’s note: Air Gokuls?]. Are you copping the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” that’s dropping tomorrow?

Ah, oh yeah! I don’t think I’ll have time because I’m traveling to New York. I guess I’ll have to go to Flight Club.