Shaan Mishra Wins ‘Jeopardy!’ and Prepares for Next Challenge

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Shaan Mishra, a 2025 College graduate, became the newest champion of “Jeopardy!” on Oct. 24. The quiz show pits three contestants against each other to quickly answer trivia clues for cash prizes. Mishra, who majored in economics and computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, competed against Kristina Pohribnij, a stay-at-home mom, and Tom Devlin, a three-time returning champion.

Mishra will return to the “Jeopardy!” stage on Oct. 27 to continue his winning streak. In an interview, he described the unexpected thrills and challenges of his comeback victory. ‘I was really struggling early on to get control of the buzzer and kind of begin this slow ascent upwards,’ Mishra said. ‘There was a moment where I kind of resigned myself to the reality that it might not be successful, but I was able to keep my wits about me, play my game, and it worked out in the end.’

The turning point came during the “Double Jeopardy!” and “Daily Double” rounds. ‘Going into Final Jeopardy, I decided to wager nothing and pray that [Devlin] got the question wrong, which, fortunately enough for me, he did,’ Mishra recounted. ‘It was a very crazy moment to win.’

Although his participation in the show began on a whim, Mishra credited his interest in trivia and competition to his time at Penn, particularly with his Quizzo team. After receiving the invitation to compete in July, he spent ‘a very intense 45 days’ preparing for the taping in September, even postponing his consulting job start date to strategize for the show. Mishra used his computer science skills to analyze previous show archives, focusing on topics and wagering strategies.

‘They don’t give you anything in terms of preparation materials,’ he said. ‘It’s literally just the wealth of human knowledge.’ Mishra also built rapport with fellow contestants, calling Devlin ‘a very brilliant man,’ and noting his friendship with Pohribnij, who he found ‘incredibly nice.’

Mishra’s win adds him to a notable list of Penn affiliates who have triumphed on “Jeopardy!” including the game’s 2024 champion. His journey embodies the spirit of competitive trivia and the community formed through shared knowledge and experiences.