Jeapordy
Tuesday’s episode of Jeopardy! saw contestant Joe Velasco snatched his second victory on the NBC show – but it was a confession that got everyone talking.
The trivia show’s latest spinoff sees former champion Ken Jennings hosting a Champions Wildcard Tournament which kicked off on Monday, inviting back winners from seasons 37 and 38.
During a candid chat with the host, Joe revealed that while winning Jeopardy! may be the highlight of many people’s lives, his original win took place on a tragic anniversary.
The California resident revealed that his win in 2020 was on the 17-year anniversary of a “horrible figure skating accident that I had”.
The customer care director explained that prior to the accident that “almost claimed my life”, he was a dedicated figure skater.
However, speaking about his Jeopardy! win, Joe added: “So it turned the worst day of my life into the best day.
“And from there, I went on to do some amazing work with an organization that now provides support for Black and Brown figure skaters.”
The contestant was almost overcome with emotion in the touchingly heartfelt moment as he thanked the show’s team for bringing him back.
Following his first win, Joe took to Instagram explaining the story in detail as he relished his 15 minutes of fame and shed some light on his sensational story of determination.
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A post shared by Joe Velasco (@joebethevelasco)
He wrote: “For those who know I grew up figure skating, you may have heard about a horrific accident I sustained on the ice.
“As I felt myself landing incorrectly on a difficult jump, I reached my right hand down to stop myself from falling hard. A lot of you know how flexible I am, but where sharp blades are involved, extreme flexibility isn’t always a safe quality to have.
“Meanwhile, my left leg whipped around behind me and the left blade came to a stop IN THE BONE OF MY RIGHT WRIST. I severed arteries, nerves, and almost every tendon. I nearly bled out on the ice.”
Joe was in such a dire state that donor blood was waiting for him at the hospital as he arrived and was rushed into surgery, but his fight was far from over.
He explained: “After a series of casts and months of occupational therapy, I had practically full, functional use again. I PHYSICALLY healed by 6 months, and was practically back to my full strength in that hand after a year.”
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A post shared by Joe Velasco (@joebethevelasco)
While Joe will “never” have feeling in his index finger and thumb again, he assured that it’s “no disability” for him and the real challenge was “healing emotionally”.
He concluded: “It’s torture to have a hobby that you LOVE so much but have it TERRIFY you. At times the fear was CRIPPLING. Yet time heals all wounds.”
With a sensational turnaround at the final minute, Joe has been announced as the first semifinalist of Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard, earning a total of $20,200 in Tuesday’s episode.
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