A Year 8 Somerville Intermediate student has conquered the New Zealand quiz show Brain Busters, and another is set to appear.
Described as “the Chase for young people”, Brain Busters is a new children’s quiz show that aims “to test the smarts and stamina of students in years eight and nine”.
Daniel Revans travelled to Christchurch in April to compete against those of his own age in a series of increasingly tricky challengers involving maths, memory, spelling and more.
Contestants also choose a specialist subject.
In his introduction of the episode, Daniel declared he liked flying planes.
He proceeded to fly through the competition to win $256.
“My episode didn’t air until last week,” Daniel says. “I signed a non-disclosure agreement so I couldn’t tell my friends at school I won.”
One of the friends he couldn’t tell was classmate Dominic Iugan.
Dominic is scheduled to fly to Christchurch on Thursday to also appear as a contestant in Brain Busters.
“I’m nervous,” Dominic says. “But I’m glad Daniel’s been helping me.”
Daniel says he was also nervous and there was “lots of pressure”.
“Everyone at school watched my episode with great interest,” he says.
In the first challenge, Mega Memory, Daniel scored 90 points, 40 points above the next contestant. For his specialist subject, he chose Spellbinder as spelling is his forte.
He scored perfectly. He also won in the obstacle course – an aspect that he said people doubted him on as he says he isn’t very physically fit.
Dominic’s choice of specialist subject will be Identifier. “It’s more science-based than the other options. I can’t wait.”
He says if he strikes gold, he’ll put the winnings into his savings.
Daniel has spent a portion of his money on a gaming headset and will put the rest towards flying. He described becoming a Brain Buster champion as “exhilarating but also relieving”.
