A Toronto resident, Michael Jarman, has claimed victory at the Microsoft Excel World Championships, held on December 4 in Las Vegas. Competitors from around the globe battled to solve intricate data problems using advanced Excel skills, logical thinking, and data management expertise. The event, watched live by hundreds in the arena and thousands on ESPN3 and YouTube, showcased Excel as a tool of both technical mastery and strategic problem-solving.
Jarman, who immigrated to Canada from the U.K. in 2017, walked away with a $5,000 prize and a wrestling-style championship belt. Transporting the oversized trophy back to Toronto proved challenging, as it didn’t fit in a suitcase. “It’s genuinely very nice, sort of a leather wrestling belt. It’s quite large,” Jarman said, adding that he plans to mount it proudly on a wall at home.
Jarman, who works as head of model development for a firm specializing in spreadsheets for major infrastructure projects, views Excel as both a professional necessity and a personal passion. Competing since 2017, he previously won the precursor competition, ModelOff, in 2018. Calling this year’s win a “satisfying victory,” Jarman emphasized the thrill of facing top-tier competitors on a global stage.
