- Diarmuid Early outperformed eleven rivals in intense thirty-minute Excel challenges
- The championship included unconventional tasks like creative folding of Excel modules.
- Early received a cash prize and a wrestling-style championship belt for his victory
The 2025 Microsoft Excel World Championship came to a spectacular end when Diarmuid “The LeBron James of Excel” Early won the title against three-time champion Andrew “The Annihilator” Ngai.
The final events took place live in Las Vegas and reached a global audience, featuring some of the most intense spreadsheet challenges ever seen in the competition.
Early’s victory came after hours of grueling tasks, including manipulating large data sets, creating complex pivot tables and completing unconventional Excel challenges such as folding modules origami-style.
Championship experiences
In this competition, tasks require a mix of speed, precision and advanced problem-solving skills that push each competitor to their limits.
During the tournament, Early faced eleven opponents in rapid succession, with each challenge lasting approximately thirty minutes.
Spectators followed live commentary that highlighted both the technical difficulty of the tasks and the creativity required to complete them effectively.
At one point, advertisers expressed astonishment when competitors had to navigate 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 dedication and training of the participants and adding an unusual but energetic touch to the event.
For Early, the victory came with both emotional and tangible rewards.
Cameras captured his near-tears reaction when authorities declared him the winner, illustrating the intense pressure and personal significance of the feat.
Beyond the emotional release, Early received a $5,000 cash prize and a specially designed wrestling championship belt, marking his status as Excel Esports’ top contender for 2025.
The recognition extended beyond the trophy and had real weight for the competitors.
Sponsors including Microsoft, Datarails and the CFA Institute have bolstered the growing legitimacy and visibility of Excel-based competitions.
Early’s background includes years of consulting experience at BCG and running his own data analytics consultancy.
He demonstrates mastery of Excel in a competitive context, a skill that often complements his professional expertise.
While Excel Esports transforms a conventional productivity tool into a spectator sport, the competitive environment also highlights efficiency, analytical thinking and creativity under pressure.
While the pivot table show may seem niche, the skills have real-world applications in financial modeling, analytics, and broader data center management.
The tournament shows how advanced spreadsheet skills can be gamified while still reflecting real professional skills.
Via Trung Phan
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