Tran The Trung, a 12th grader of Physics class of the Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted Students in the central province of Nghe An triumphed at the 19th edition of the “Duong len dinh Olympia” (Road to the Mount Olympia) quiz show after four rounds of the final.
Brimming with confidence, he was the first contestant ever of Nghe An province to win the show.
Conquering “Mount Olympia”
After the final, Trung said that now he has made his biggest dream of winning the show’s final come true, adding that he wants to dedicate this victory to his beloved older sister, who was the first one to inspire, encourage and boost his confidence to compete at the quiz show since he was a child.
“And I believe that she is watching over me and standing side by side with me even after this quest”, he added.
He also expressed his gratitude to his parents, schools, friends and relatives. He said this is the first time his hometown Nghe An has had a winner of the contest, so he is very proud.
“I have made my biggest dream of winning the show’s final come true”, Trung said
Trung has nurtured a special passion with the show and got accustomed to its questions since he was a primary student, even though at that time he could only answer those in science. When he started secondary school, he told this interest to his mother and sister and received their strong support.
During his secondary school time, most of the “presents” that Trung’s family gave him were scientific and historical books to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.
When Trung was in Grade 9, his family suffered a huge shock as his sister passed away. He was believed to give up his dream at that time. However, because of his promise to his mother and sister, he overcame his grief and topped the Physics class of the Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted Students in the entrance exam.
He was chosen by his Physics teachers to become a future member of the national Physics team. Yet, Trung refused the chance as he wanted to spend more time on his long-time dream of competing at the famous quiz show.
For many years, his school did not have any specific training course for students who wish to participate in the show. But Trung and another student in Informatics class submitted an application to ask the school to organise a similar contest as a qualifier.
Trung and another student in Informatics class submitted an application to ask the school to organise a similar contest as a qualifier.
However, the application was rejected because their request was unprecedented. He decided to write a letter in the school forum which was filled with his emotions, hoping that his upperclassmen and teachers will create favourable conditions for students to participate in the show, which could bring glory to the school.
Even though the letter was anonymous, many students of the schools realised who was the writer. More importantly, his confidences finally reached the school board and make the teachers change their mind.
In that year, a contest was held at the school, and the winner was decided only after three rounds. Surprisingly, Trung’s rival at the last round was his friend who joined hands with him to submit the application earlier.
Standing at the studio S14 of the Vietnam Television (the venue of the contest) for the first time, he felt a sense of familiarity, as if the studio was his own home.
“Maybe because I have a strong attachment to the show for a very long time,” he recalled.
A present for his beloved sister
From the time of school’s contest, Trung went through a long road to compete at the first round.
The competition offered a chance for contestants to meet and learn from each other, he said.
With 245 points at the final, Trung surpassed his rivals and won the contest’s “laurel wreath”.
Physics teacher at Trung’s school Mai Van Quyen said the day Trung triumphed at the contest was truly a memorable day for the school as the teachers and students shared the same pride.
“Trung had spared no efforts to fulfill his promise to his sister: competing at the quiz show,” said his mother Nguyen Thi Tuat
Talking about her son, Trung’s mother Nguyen Thi Tuat could not hold back her tears. His sister was the first one to know about his passion for the show and she always supported him, Tuat said, adding that the siblings did not miss any broadcast of the weekly quiz show.
“He was depressed when his sister passed away. That was also a huge sorrow for our family,” she added.
But it was Trung who helped the family to recover with his determination and trust in life.
He had spared no efforts to fulfill his promise to his sister: competing at the quiz show, Tuat noted./.
