Divisions: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Middle School, Elementary
Competition Type: Individual, Non-Buzzer Quiz Game
Knockout is a competition unique to the Olympiad and the International Geography Championships.* Up to 10 players sit or stand in a circle. One player begins, and then selects another player – that player then has to answer a question correctly. If they don’t, they get a strike. If they answer correctly, then they get the chance to pick the next player. If you get a certain number of strikes, then you’re out! The top players move on to additional rounds. At the end of the rounds, the last players to get knocked out receive bronze and silver medals, and the sole survivor is the gold medalist.
* Olympiad trivia note – The idea for this event comes from Jeder Gegen Jeden (translation: Each Against Everyone) – a German language TV quiz show. If you’re interested in seeing an episode of Jeder Gegen Jeden, click here. Even if you don’t speak German, you can probably get the gist of the show – and if you listen carefully, you may even be able to figure out a few of the questions and answers.
2018 Champions
Varsity: Fred Zhang, Virginia
Junior Varsity: Wesley Zhang, California
Middle School: Alexander Goldberg, California
2016 Champions
Varsity: Jakob Myers, Illinois
Junior Varsity: Alejandro Lim, Philippines
Middle School: John Phipps, Argentina
This event was not held in 2015