- Diarmuid Early outperformed eleven rivals in intense 30-minute Excel challenges
- The championship included unconventional tasks such as creative folding of Excel modules
- Early received a cash prize and a wrestling-style championship belt for his victory
The Microsoft Excel World Championship 2025 came to a dramatic close as Diarmuid “The LeBron James of Excel” Early claimed the title over three-time champion Andrew “The Annihilator” Ngai.
The final rounds took place live in Las Vegas and reached a global audience, showcasing some of the most intense spreadsheet challenges ever seen in the competition.
Early’s victory came after hours of grueling tasks including manipulating large datasets, creating complex pivot tables and completing unconventional Excel challenges such as origami-style modular folding.
Championship experiences
In this competition, the tasks require a mix of speed, precision and advanced problem-solving skills that push every competitor to the limit.
During the tournament, Early faced eleven opponents in quick succession, with each challenge lasting about thirty minutes.
Spectators followed live commentary highlighting both the technical difficulty of the tasks and the creativity required to perform them effectively.
At one point, announcers expressed clear astonishment as competitors navigated highly detailed pivot tables and complex data labeling under intense time pressure.
The tournament, which you can watch on YouTube, even featured its own theme song, celebrating the participants’ commitment and training, adding an unusual but energetic flair to the event.
For Early, the victory came with both emotional and tangible rewards.
Cameras captured his near-tearful reaction as the officials declared him the winner, illustrating the intense pressure and personal meaning of the achievement.
In addition to the emotional release, Early received a cash prize of $5,000 and a custom Wrestling Championship belt marking his status as the top competitor in Excel Esports for 2025.
The recognition extended beyond the trophy and carried real weight for the competitors.
Sponsors including Microsoft, Datarails and the CFA Institute reinforced the growing legitimacy and visibility of Excel-based competitions.
Early’s background includes many years of consulting experience at BCG and running his own data analytics consulting firm.
He demonstrates mastery of Excel in competitive situations, a skill that often complements his professional expertise.
While Excel Esports transforms a conventional productivity tool into a spectator sport, the competitive environment also emphasizes efficiency, analytical thinking and creativity under pressure.
While the spectacle of pivot tables may seem niche, the skills have real-world applications in financial modeling, analytics and broader data center management.
The tournament demonstrates how advanced spreadsheet skills can be played while still reflecting real professional competence.
Via Trung Phan
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