A UNC sophomore’s appearance on the game show “Jeopardy!” is set to air on Tuesday night — but it’s not his first appearance on the popular program.

Rotimi Kukoyi will make history during his episode running on January 9, as he will become the youngest contestant in the quiz show’s Second Chance Tournament — a version of “Jeopardy!” that welcomes back past contestants to compete in a bracket for a chance to advance to the Season 39 champions wildcard round. The health policy and management major played five years prior as part of the “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament when he was in ninth grade. Kukoyi, who is also a Morehead-Cain Scholar at Carolina, is studying in Chapel Hill to become a physician.

Kukoyi filmed Tuesday’s episode back on December 6 — the final day of classes for UNC’s fall semester. He was set to return to “Jeopardy!” sooner, but had to remove himself from the field of the show’s High School Reunion Tournament because he was sick with COVID-19. But according to a profile written by the university, Kukoyi received an invitation back to JEOPARDY! on Halloween 2023 and is set to compete in the broader competition of returning players.

The Hoover, Al. native will compete against April Marquet of Oakland, Ca. and Pam Warren of Petersburg, Ill. on Tuesday’s episode. The trio are vying for a spot in the two-day finals of Group 4 in the Second Chance Tournament, meaning the winner will have another episode they’ve competed in airing on Friday, January 12.

UNC has seen a variety of community members compete on “Jeopardy!” in recent years — including a student in the same High School Reunion Tournament Kukoyi was slated to compete in. Carolina junior and history major Stephanie Pierson won an episode on February 22, 2023. A Tar Heel also is part of “Jeopardy!” history for defeating champion James Holzhauer and ending his streak of 32 consecutive wins in 2017: former UNC masters student and Orange County librarian Emma Boettcher.

Kukoyi’s “Jeopardy!” episode on Tuesday will air on ABC affiliates at 7 p.m. Viewers can find specific television stations and other options to watch “Jeopardy!” on the show’s website.

 

Featured image via Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

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