Mehal Shah Wins Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard, Secures $100,000 Prize

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Mehal Shah, a software engineer from Seattle, Washington, emerged victorious in the Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard tournament on January 24, 2025, securing a $100,000 prize and a coveted spot in the Tournament of Champions. Shah triumphed over competitors Drew and Will Yancey in a high-stakes final that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

The game began with Shah and Drew leading the pack, while Yancey trailed behind. Shah’s dominance became evident when he scored big on the game’s final Daily Double clue, entering Final Jeopardy with a staggering 19,000 points. Drew followed with 10,200 points, and Yancey remained at 3,600.

The Final Jeopardy clue in the category “Composers” read: “‘Troll Hill’ is the name of his country home, the grounds of which include a concert hall & a lakeside cabin where he worked.” The correct response, “Who was Grieg?” eluded all three contestants. Shah wagered zero points, while Drew and Yancey ended the game with zero after incorrect responses.

Combined with their scores from the previous game, the final standings were Yancey with 5,600 points, Drew with 17,600, and Shah with 46,200. Shah’s victory marked the culmination of an impressive run throughout the tournament.

In a heartfelt post-show statement, Shah expressed gratitude to his supporters, including his wife, coworkers, and even Microsoft Excel. “When I first got the call, I wasn’t sure if I could do it – we have an energetic toddler and a son on the way in a few months,” Shah said. “She’s never been anything shy of 110% for this goal and believed in me even when I didn’t.”

Shah’s win not only cements his place in Jeopardy! history but also sets the stage for his next challenge in the Tournament of Champions, where he will face off against other elite contestants.