Author Topic: Manchester University awarded University Challenge Title  (Read 718 times)

celeste

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 120865


The Manchester University students handed victory in University Challenge after their rivals were disqualified have branded their triumph "hollow".

Corpus Christi College - who beat Manchester 275 to 190 in the quiz show's grand final - were stripped of the title by the BBC after it emerged team member Sam Kay was ineligible to take part, because he had already graduated.

But Manchester contestant Henry Pertinez, 27, said their rivals "beat us fair and square" and that his team had been awarded the series title "on a technicality".

"It's a hollow victory," he added.

More than 5.3 million, a record audience, tuned in to see last week's final which featured Corpus Christi's brainbox contestant Gail Trimble.

The 26-year-old Latin scholar scored two-thirds of her team's 1,200 points before the final and has been described as the "best contestant ever".

Manchester's team captain, Phd student Matthew Yeo, 25, said of the disqualification: "We abide by the decision of the judges. We are obviously saddened by the whole experience of the last 48 hours.

"This is certainly not how we wanted to be awarded the trophy and to be crowned champions of University Challenge.

"We feel not only has this detracted from the award but also detracted from the enormous fun of being on University Challenge."

Matthew added that he and the team wanted to send their "best wishes" to all of the Corpus Christi team at an "undeniably difficult time for them".


 
The Manchester team say they have won a 'hollow' victory
 
All that's necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing