Bristol University through to semi finals of University challenge

The University of Bristol University Challenge team has reached the tournament’s semi-finals after beating Queen’s University Belfast in last night’s Quarter-Final (Monday 14th April).

Questioned on quantum physics, the ancient world, and modern theatre, Bristol won the round 200-65, an easy victory after their tense quarterfinal tiebreak against Darwin College, Cambridge, on 24 March.

Team captain and artificial intelligence student, Kevin Flanagan, led the team to victory. The other teammates include MSci biology student Ted Warner, medicine student Bridie Rogers, and organic chemistry PhD student Olivia Watts.

The four have taken the competition by storm so far, beating Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and Exeter by huge margins in the early rounds. The team’s reserve player is MSc biology student Nathaniel Joyce.

They also beat the Open University (135-95) in the first quarter finals; a match that was described by presenter Amol Rajan as “ludicrously tight” and “really quite stressful.”

The challenge team. Credit: The University of Bristol

Presenter, Amol Rajan, said at the beginning of the episode that Bristol has been “particularly impressive on fine art, chemistry and biology, and they have achieved an average score of 225.”

Last night’s win will see Bristol compete against Warwick in the semi final on Monday, 28th April.

Amol was visibly impressed with Bristol’s knowledge as he smiled and congratulated them on their success, saying: “That was such an impressive performance.”

In last night’s episode, when asked about their experience thus far, the team noted how it has been an “amazing” experience.

Last year, Bristol made it to the final, coming second to Durham. We are all rooting for them to bring it home.

Featured Image via the University of Bristol