Breaking: Dubliner Oscar Despard Leads Christ’s College Cambridge to Victory in University Challenge!
In a nail-biting finale, Irishman Oscar Despard, 22, captained his team from Christ’s College Cambridge to a thrilling victory in tonight’s University Challenge. The Dubliner, who grew up watching the show with his mother, led his team to a score of 175 points, just five points ahead of their rivals from Warwick University. For his heroic efforts, Despard and his teammates received their trophy from celebrated actor Ian McKellen. This impressive win is not the first time Despard has excelled academically – he earned nine H1s in his Leaving Cert and won the best individual prize at the BT Young Scientist exhibition in 2020. The prodigy, who is currently pursuing a PhD in molecular biology, attributed his success to countless hours of revision with his team, even covering topics as diverse as video games and Shakespeare.
Christ’s College Cambridge Claims University Challenge Throne: Dubliner Oscar Despard Leads Team to Victory
Record-Breaking Final
In a nail-biting finale, Christ’s College Cambridge, led by Dubliner Oscar Despard, won the prestigious TV quiz show University Challenge, defeating Warwick University by a mere five points. The final score stood at a thrilling 175-170, making it one of the closest finishes in the show’s history.
Despard, a 22-year-old molecular biology student, captained his team to an unprecedented victory, outsmarting 27 other universities in the intense competition. The second-year PhD student, studying proteostasis using cryo-electron tomography, has harbored dreams of competing on University Challenge since his childhood.
A Family Affair
Despard’s passion for quizzing runs in the family. His mother, Professor Niamh Moran, is a scientist at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. His family’s excitement was palpable as they watched him compete, with Despard revealing that his team even maintained a spreadsheet of over 200 knowledge areas to revise for the notoriously difficult quiz.
From Sandford Park to University Challenge
Despard’s academic prowess is no stranger to the limelight. He earned an impressive nine H1s in his Leaving Cert from Sandford Park School in Ranelagh and took home the best individual prize at the BT Young Scientist exhibition in 2020. His intellectual curiosity and dedication to academia have undoubtedly played a significant role in his team’s triumph on University Challenge.
Quizzing the Shakespearean Canon
Preparing for the show required Despard and his team to cast a wide net. "I got to read all of Shakespeare, which I probably wouldn’t have done otherwise," Despard revealed. "And we did a surprising amount of video game revision—they’ve broadened the question topics in recent years."
Did You Know?
Oscar Despard is not the first Irish student to captain a winning team on University Challenge. In 2003, Trinity College Dublin’s team, led by Eoin Leonard, emerged victorious.
Pro Tip: Diversify Your Knowledge
Despard’s experience highlights the importance of diversifying your knowledge base. While specializing in a particular field is crucial, his team’s success demonstrates that a broad range of interests can provide a competitive edge in high-stakes quizzing.
FAQs
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Q: How did Despard’s team prepare for University Challenge?
A: They maintained a spreadsheet of over 200 knowledge areas and dedicated extensive time to revision. - Q: What was the final score between Christ’s College Cambridge and Warwick University?
A: Christ’s College Cambridge won with a score of 175-170.
Join the Conversation
Think you have what it takes to compete on University Challenge? Share your thoughts and predictions for future seasons in the comments below. And before you go, explore more sports stories and quizzes on our website. Happy quizzing!
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