New Jeopardy! Champion Reveals How He Prepared For Game In Which He Shockingly Ended Scott Riccardi’s Epic Streak

New Jeopardy! champion Jonathan Hugendubler revealed how he prepared for the game in which he shockingly ended Scott Riccardi’s incredible 16-day streak. Scott’s epic run earned him two spots on the Leaderboard of Legends: number 8 for Highest Winnings (Regular-Season Play) and tied for number 10 with Ryan Long for Most Consecutive Wins.

During the Jeopardy! season 41 finale, Jonathan defeated Scott in a come-from-behind win. He started out the game in the negative. However, after later finding and correctly answering the two Double Jeopardy! Daily Doubles, Jonathan was catching up to Scott. Even though Jonathan went into Final Jeopardy! trailing Scott, he answered the question correctly, while Scott got it wrong.

The Final Jeopardy! question was, “According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, 8 radio stations, 2 movie companies and $56 million in real estate.” The answer was William Randolph Hearst, which Jonathan and fellow contestant Charlotte Cooper knew. However, Scott wrote Howard Hughes, and Jonathan won the game, ending Scott’s 16-day streak.

New Jeopardy! champion Jonathan Hugendubler revealed how he prepared for the game in which he shockingly ended Scott Riccardi’s incredible 16-day streak.

According to The Baltimore Banner, Jonathan prepared for his game very differently from how Scott got ready for his. Unlike many other multi-day champions, mechanical engineer Scott didn’t have a Quiz Bowl background. However, Jonathan is a trivia host at two pizza restaurants in Baltimore, as well as an adjunct professor and lecturer.

Jonathan began to get interested in trivia in 2014, and he’d take the Jeopardy! Any Time Test about once a year. Finally, last year, he advanced in the process, and he finally heard from a producer in March.

After he received the Jeopardy! call, Jonathan ramped up his preparation for the show. He participated in more trivia, took various tests, tried to practice using the buzzer, and even listened to LeBron James’ postgame speech from Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals hundreds of times.

Jonathan explained, “I just knew I had this one opportunity to put everything I had into it.” His fiancée, Kate Flores, who enjoys the trivia scene with him, was by his side helping him to prepare as they also planned their wedding, which will take place on August 23.

On August 6, Jonathan will return to Los Angeles to tape the season premiere of Jeopardy! season 42, which will air in September.

I just knew I had this one opportunity to put everything I had into it.

What Jonathan Hugendubler’s Preparation For Jeopardy! Means

Jonathan Could Be Another Multi-Day Champion

Jonathan’s trivia background makes him a formidable Jeopardy! champion, which means that he could win many more games when the show returns in the fall. It was very impressive to watch him defeat Scott, especially because he knew the answer to the Final Jeopardy! question, while Scott didn’t.

However, Jonathan showed how humble he was when he gave Scott a big hug after he ended his streak. While it was heartbreaking to see Scott’s streak end because he was so well-liked, Jeopardy! fans might be in for a treat with Jonathan as well because he’s such a huge trivia buff, but also has a calm personality like Scott.

Our Take On Jonathan’s Preparation For Jeopardy!

Jonathan Has The Potential To Win Many Games After Scott’s Mind-Blowing Streak

It’s exciting that Jonathan is a trivia buff because it could mean that Jeopardy! season 42 will begin with another multi-day champion. It’s inspiring to think that he pumped himself up by listening to LeBron’s speech, and it seems to have worked because he was able to defeat new Jeopardy! legend Scott.

Although I’m a big fan of Scott, and I can’t wait to see him compete in the Tournament of Champions, I hope that Jonathan continues to win Jeopoardy! games as well and becomes the next superchampion with 10 wins or more. Season 41 ended with a bang, and I’m looking forward to season 42 starting the same way. Jeopardy! has been thrilling lately, and champions such as Scott and Jonathan are the reason why.

Source: The Baltimore Banner