Who won Jeopardy! tonight? January 23, 2025, Thursday

Jeopardy! on January 23, 2025, marked the continuation of the Champions Wildcard finals, where Mehal Shah, Drew Goins, and Will Yancey competed for a coveted spot in the Tournament of Champions. With brilliant strategies and intense competition, tonight’s episode left viewers on the edge of their seats.

The winner of tonight's episode was Mehal Shah, a software engineer originally from Buffalo, New York. Mehal impressed with a confident performance, securing $27,200 after a bold Final Jeopardy wager.

He answered correctly with What is the Ural River? to clinch victory. His outstanding gameplay sets him up for Day 2, with a strong lead while moving ahead towards the next round.

Jeopardy! has been a key part of American TV since it started in 1964, famous for its special format and fun trivia questions. The show keeps people engaged with its knowledge, strategy, and fun.

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Jeopardy! episode highlights: January 23, 2025

Jeopardy round

The game began with categories like Our Colorful World, From Page to Screen, and Curls. Will Yancey dropped an early Daily Double with a minor error but recovered to tie with Drew Goins at $2,000 after the first 15 clues. Mehal Shah trailed slightly with $1,600 at the break.

By the end of the Jeopardy round, Mehal surged ahead with $5,200, while Will and Drew followed with $4,800 and $2,800, respectively. This round showcased quick reflexes and calculated risk-taking, setting the stage for a heated Double Jeopardy segment.

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Double Jeopardy round

Categories in this round included History of Britain and January Babies. Will Yancey found both Daily Doubles but only succeeded in one, reducing his chances to overtake Mehal. Drew struggled slightly with a penalty for an extra "S" in an answer, while Mehal maintained his lead with precise responses.

Mehal ended the round with $15,200, followed by Will at $11,600 and Drew at $10,800. With all three contestants reaching five figures, the Final Jeopardy! round became a decisive moment for the game.

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Final Jeopardy round

The category for Final Jeopardy was World Geography, with the clue:

"In the Orenburg Oblast, a bridge over this 1,500-mile river has monuments labeled 'Asia' & 'Europe'."

Mehal and Drew correctly answered with What is the Ural River? while Will guessed What is the Volga? Mehal’s confident wager of $12,000 brought his total to $27,200, giving him a commanding lead. Drew finished with $17,600, and Will concluded with $5,600.

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Contestant profiles

Mehal Shah: Mehal, a software engineer from Buffalo, New York, played exceptionally well, answering 21 questions correctly. He made one mistake only. His risky Final Jeopardy! bet reveals his meticulous strategy for winning.

Drew Goins: Drew, a journalist from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, played well during the entire game. He began slowly but finished strong with $17,600 after getting the Final Jeopardy! question right.

Will Yancey: Will, a history lecturer from Banquete, Texas, took risks in the game and discovered all the Daily Doubles. But he missed the chance to catch up due to some incorrect answers.

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Other insights about Jeopardy!

Jeopardy! remains a standout quiz show because of its unique format, where players must respond in the form of a question. It tests contestants not only on knowledge but also on strategy, quick thinking, and wagering skills.

The Champions Wildcard tournament adds another layer of excitement by featuring past winners competing for the Tournament of Champions slots.

This season has seen innovative gameplay, strategic risks, and record-breaking scores. Tonight's episode, part of Game 99 in Season 41, evidently shows why Jeopardy! continues to draw loyal viewers.

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Game Recap & Tonight’s Game Stats (January 23, 2025)

Jeopardy round

Categories:

• Our Colorful World
• For The “Gram”
• From Page To Screen
• The Night Sky
• Curls
• Just Wanna Have Fun

Key Moments:

• Will Yancey dropped the Daily Double by adding an extra “S” to a place name but recovered well.
• After 15 clues, scores were tied between Will and Drew at $2,000 each, with Mehal at $1,600.
• Mehal gained the lead after a rebound on the last clue of the round.

Statistics at the first break (15 clues):

• Drew: 3 correct, 0 incorrect
• Will: 6 correct, 2 incorrect
• Mehal: 3 correct, 0 incorrect

End of Jeopardy round statistics:

• Mehal: 11 correct, 1 incorrect
• Will: 11 correct, 3 incorrect
• Drew: 5 correct, 1 incorrect

Scores after the Jeopardy round:

• Mehal: $5,200
• Will: $4,800
• Drew: $2,800

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Double Jeopardy Round

Categories:

• History of Britain
• Alliterative Lit
• 9-Letter Words
• January Babies
• News Personalities
• This One Time, At Orchestra Camp

Key Moments:

• Will found both Daily Doubles, answering one correctly and one incorrectly.
• Drew incurred another penalty for adding an extra “S” to an answer.
• Mehal maintained his lead throughout the round, with all contestants crossing into five-figure scores.

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

• Mehal: 21 correct, 1 incorrect
• Will: 19 correct, 6 incorrect
• Drew: 13 correct, 2 incorrect

Scores after Double Jeopardy:

• Mehal: $15,200
• Will: $11,600
• Drew: $10,800

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Final Jeopardy round:

• Category: World Geography
• Clue: In the Orenburg Oblast, a bridge over this 1,500-mile river has monuments labeled "Asia" & "Europe".
• Correct Response: "What is the Ural River?"

Results:

• Drew and Mehal answered correctly, while Will incorrectly guessed "What is the Volga?"
• Mehal wagered $12,000, securing a significant lead heading into Day 2.

Final Scores:

• Mehal: $27,200
• Drew: $17,600
• Will: $5,600

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Tonight's episode of Jeopardy! highlighted the skill and strategy of its players, with Mehal Shah being the top performer. His strong gameplay and accurate answers helped him win and put him in a good position for the next round.

Drew Goins and Will Yancey also did well, making the competition tough. The Champions Wildcard tournament once again depicts why Jeopardy! is still a favorite among trivia fans everywhere.