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An arena. A hype tunnel, the kind through which NBA players typically streak. A competitor dressed in a jersey patterned with a six-pack abs. In a surprising turn of events, the Microsoft Excel World Championship has taken the world by storm, as TechCrunch reports. The event, held for the first time in person last month, has already become a huge hit.
Organizers claim that 400 people attended the Las Vegas-based competition, which was live-streamed on ESPN3 alongside other unconventional events like speed chess and the World Dog Surfing Championships. It seems that this Excel-filled extravaganza is no joke, despite its seemingly mundane nature.
The stakes were high as contestants were tasked with solving thorny Excel puzzles in a grueling 40-minute competition. But it appears that the competitors had no shortage of humor, taking selfies to commemorate their participation in the event. The winner, a Toronto-based financial consultant, took home a whopping $5,000 prize and a wrestling-style championship belt.
According to reports, this is not just a one-off event. In fact, organizers hope to increase the prize money to a staggering $1 million as more spectators and sponsors become involved.
Source: techcrunch.com
