‘Octochamp’ undergrad completes Countdown challenge
By: Communications
Viraj Seelam, an undergraduate student from the School of Art, Media and American Studies, has joined the revered ranks of Countdown’s most competitive contestants, having won eight heats in a row to earn the title of ‘Octochamp’.
Viraj, who is studying BA Film and Television Production, has been watching Countdown since he was a young boy. That affinity with the show, coupled with a keen interest in maths and linguistics, meant becoming a contestant himself was a “dream” and an opportunity “to show my talent on TV”.
Understandably nervous before his first tie, Viraj said:
“I thought playing in a studio would make me more anxious, so I didn’t think I would make it that far; after every game I thought it would be likely that my streak would be broken, but luckily I made it to the end of the heats unscathed.”
Having won eight heats in a row, in which he scored one hundred or more points in all but one of the rounds, Viraj earned the title of ‘Octochamp’ - a name originally coined by legendary host, Richard Whiteley.
Having breezed through the heats, Viraj has qualified for the end-of-series finals in December, which means potentially just three more episodes for Viraj, who said:
“If I win the quarter-final, then the semi-final, I’ll be in the final. If I win that, I will be crowned the Series 88 champion and awarded the Richard Whiteley Memorial Trophy.”
Best of luck, Viraj!
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