UAE | Leisure
Confusion reigns at first heats of junior doubles
The first heats of junior doubles started off with some confusion as contestants either shouted out answers at the same time or answered them too late.
- Gulf News Client Services Manager Geeta Menon stands with Sanchit Ram and Rohan Sampath, winners of the first heats of the Juniors Gulf News Blockbusters.
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Dubai: The first heats of junior doubles started off with some confusion as contestants either shouted out answers at the same time or answered them too late.
The youngsters competing in the Gulf News Blockbusters were quick to press the buzzer and although their allotted time had run out, they would blurt the answers, ending up giving an advantage to their opponents.
Giggles could be heard from contestants when they were unable to answer tough questions and over-enthusiastic audience members keen to shout out the answers, much to the dismay of judges who had to keep reminding them to keep their voices low.
Quickest contestants
Sanchit Ram and Rohan Sampath, seventh and ninth grade respectively, won the first heats as they were by far the quickest contestants to hit the buzzer.
"I didn't think that I was going to win because I came here only to have fun, so I was not prepared at all. But for the next round, I am going to practise by making my own buzzer from a light bulb and read a guide book on blockbusters' questions, so that I will be faster the next time around," said Ram.
The second heats were won by Mehreen Khan and Divya Jalan. Khan's mother, Maheen Mohammad, said it was a pleasant surprise for her to see her daughter win the contest.
"She had already competed in the juniors' singles and was absolutely distraught when she lost out on the last question, but she was over the moon when she won the doubles category," said Maheen.
Khan, a seventh grade pupil at Winchester School, was able to practise for the event with her mother as she was also competing in the Blockbusters.
"My daughter loves working on the tabloid! crossword everyday, and we would complete it together."
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