Vinjamuri Triumphs in Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Episode

Pocatello, ID — Nilesh Vinjamuri emerged victorious in the second game of Jeopardy!’s Tournament of Champions on February 10, 2025, overcoming strong competition from Adriana Harmeyer and Isaac Hirsh. Vinjamuri’s consistent performance throughout the game allowed him to secure the win with a total of $37,601.

In the initial rounds, Vinjamuri quickly established a commanding lead with $7,000 in the first round. His opponents followed closely, with Hirsh at $4,800 and Harmeyer trailing at $4,400. However, during the Double Jeopardy! round, calling upon his skills, Vinjamuri continued to build his lead, correctly responding to key clues.

Harmeyer, who won the first game of the tournament, struggled in Double Jeopardy! after a significant wager of $5,000 on a Daily Double question. The clue asked about a line from the song “If I Were a Rich Man.” Harmeyer answered incorrectly, dropping her score to $1,000 and leaving her in third place.

By the end of the Double Jeopardy! round, Vinjamuri had soared to $31,600, while Hirsh stood at $18,800 and Harmeyer clung to $5,400. The Final Jeopardy! round saw both Vinjamuri and Hirsh correctly answer the clue about Pyrrhus, while Harmeyer chose not to wager any of her money.

Hirsh entered the final with an $18,600 wager but ultimately finished the game with $37,400. Vinjamuri’s correct answer allowed him to add $6,001 to his total, clinching the victory. After the game, Harmeyer reflected on her performance, acknowledging the mental fatigue that contributed to her incorrect answers.

“Sometimes it’s just not your game. Congratulations to Neilesh on a hard-fought victory!” she stated. “I went completely blank on the title of ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ and mistakenly answered with ‘Fiddler Man of Steel Wool.’”

Harmeyer will have another opportunity to compete against Vinjamuri and Hirsh in the upcoming third game, scheduled for February 11, 2025. The tournament continues until one contestant secures three wins, with the stakes only increasing as the finale approaches.