“Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider is finally ready to close the book on the 2022 Tournament of Champions.
It was a close match between her former competitor Andrew He and Professor’s Tournament winner Sam Buttrey, who came in second and third place, respectively. It was Amy who took home first place and the $250,000 prize to add to the $1.3 million she won during regular tournament play back in January.
Although the Tournament of Champions finished up last month, Amy didn’t share her final reflections on her big win until the night of Friday, December 2.
Amy Got A Championship Belt To Celebrate Her 2022 ‘Jeopardy!’ Tournament of Champions Win!
In a lengthy Twitter thread, the former engineering manager from Oakland, California shared her final thoughts on the final game of the tournament.
“As soon as the cameras were off after I won the last game, Genevieve was allowed up on stage. I was still reeling, but seeing her face brought home the reality of what had just happened. That moment may be my favorite memory of my whole run,” Amy wrote.
“Also, again, I was just feeling the release of pressure that I’d been carrying for the entire year,” she continued. “You can see my arms shaking as Ken was declaring me the winner. I’d tried to put it out of my mind as much as possible, but I really REALLY wanted to win!”
So, he gave one to James, James had given one to Sam, and now Sam was giving one to me! Now that I know I think it’s a nice tradition. But now I guess at some point I’ll have to figure out how one makes a customized championship belt! pic.twitter.com/MuoU7kwuV4
— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) December 2, 2022
She also revealed that Sam came up to her holding a box after the game. Former champion and 2021 Tournament of Champions host Buzzy Cohen felt that the winner should have a championship belt. He had given one to James, James had given one to Sam, and now it was Amy’s turn.
“Now that I know I think it’s a nice tradition. But now I guess at some point I’ll have to figure out how one makes a customized championship belt!” Amy continued, adding, “Anyway, next year’s champion (Cris? Luigi?) should be aware that they’re getting a belt that will most likely feature much more pink and glitter than previous editions!”
Amy Schneider Reveals What’s Next For Her Post-Jeopardy! Future
Now that her time on “Jeopardy!” has come to an end, many fans have been asking Amy what she plans to do next. Shortly after her 40-game win in January, Amy was signed to the talent agency CAA and announced that she planned to write a book. Amy revealed that the book is still in development, as well as “a couple of other projects that I can’t talk about quite her.”
“I know I’ll be making at least one more appearance on Jeopardy, in a way you might not be expecting!” she teased. “But again, I can’t say much more.”
Although her time on “Jeopardy!” is over and she probably won’t be making any more game show appearances for a while, Amy had “no doubt that Jeopardy, and trivia, will continue to be part of my life, but I also want to step up my advocacy on behalf of my trans community in the next year, I’m talking with a few different organizations about how I can make that happen.”
“And finally, thanks to all of you for your support over the past year!” she concluded. “Although I haven’t been able to interact as much as I’d have liked, I’ve really appreciated all of your engagement. I hope you stick with me as I move into my new post-Jeopardy (sort of) life!”
Many fans expressed support for Amy’s future endeavors in the comments. “You are such a big inspiration in my life!!” one follower commented. “I am so proud of you for all you have done, and I’m even more excited to see what comes next!!!”
Other “Jeopardy!” fans have expressed hope that she will take over as the host of the show after Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik. Maybe one day!