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Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Surprises With Another Fan-Favorite Elimination

Rowan Ward had earned their spot in the tournament after winning Round 2 of the Second Chance Tournament.
  • Ken Jennings and Rowan Ward. (Photo: Jeopardy!/Twitter)
    Ken Jennings and Rowan Ward. (Photo: Jeopardy!/Twitter)

    The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions continued last night, shocking fans with another surprise elimination.

    Rowan Ward, a non-binary chart caller, writer, and editor from Chicago, Illinois, had earned a spot in the tournament after claiming victory the second round of the Second Chance Tournament. Last night's tough competition saw Ward go up against community college instructor Courtney Shah and software team leader John Focht in the quarter-finals, and Focht surprised fans when he quickly took the lead and made massive wagers. 

    By the time Final Jeopardy rolled around, Ward had just $10,888, while Shah had $5,200 and Focht led with $32,000. Focht's $32,000 will mean he's set to advance with the biggest win of the tournament so far. Fans took to Reddit to express their surprise about the results of the evening, writing "...to have a runaway against someone as talented as Rowan is quite the feat" and "I honestly thought Rowan was going to take the advantage, but holy hell, John just completely swept the floor in this game."

    The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions continues Monday with the remaining quarter-final game. On Tuesday, top-seeded champions Matt Amodio, Amy Schneider, and Mattea Roach will compete in a special exhibition game.

    To find broadcast times and channels in your area, head to the Jeopardy! website

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    Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.

    TOPICS: Jeopardy!, Ken Jennings