Who is James Holzhauer?
The self-proclaimed “villain” of this season’s “Jeopardy! Masters” tournament was crowned the victor during Wednesday night’s episode.
Holzhauer, 38, won the grueling three-week tournament after outsmarting 24-year-old Mattea Roach, who came in second and Matt Amodio, 32, who placed third.
The professional sports gambler took home the grand prize of $500,000 as well as the inaugural Trebek Trophy.
“Jeopardy!” said that they also donated $100,000 to the Las Vegas nonprofit Project 150, which helps high school students with insecure housing.
Host Ken Jennings, who perpetuates a mock feud with the champ, told Holzhauer that the other competitors pushed him to the limit.
“They tested you to the limit, but you are our first-ever ‘Jeopardy! Masters’ champion,” said Jennings, 49.
Following his win, the Illinois native turned to his competitors and congratulated them on the well-run race.
Holzhauer (from left), 38, won the grueling three-week tournament after outsmarting Matt Amodio, 32, who placed third and 24-year-old Mattea Roach who came in second. Jeopardy!
Holzhauer first appeared on the game show in 2019 and became rivals with the Washington native in 2020 when they both appeared in “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” tournament.Jeopardy!“You played amazingly, your dad is so proud of you,” Holzhauer told Roach, who lost her father earlier this month. “Your mom too.”
The Post reached out to Holzhauer for comment.
Holzhauer first appeared on the game show in 2019 and became rivals with the Washington native in 2020 when they both appeared in “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” tournament.
Host Ken Jennings, who perpetuates a mock feud with the champ, told Holzhauer that the other competitors pushed him to the limit. Jeopardy!Jennings ultimately emerged victorious leaving Holzhauer wanting a rematch.
“You know how much work I had to go to to get all the way over here at this lectern and avoid having to play you again, James,” the game show said when Holzhauer accused him of “ducking a rematch.”
The duo later engaged in saucy nerd flirting after Jennings joked that he called Holzhauer “elegantly erotic but full of enchanting terror.”
“Keep it in your pants, Ken,” quipped Holzhauer.
The sensual exchange caused Roach to burst out laughing.
Holzhauer later tweeted that “we actually had to pause taping so Ken could take a cold shower.”
