A University Challenge contestant has got everyone talking (Image: BBC)
An impressive University Challenge contestant has been dubbed an “absolute machine” after helping Imperial College London annihilate the University of Oxford’s Wadham College.
Viewers of the popular show were stunned by the unstoppable , with many attributing part of the success to player Jaime Salamanca Camacho.
Salamanca Camacho, a Master of Science in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces postgraduate student in the capital city, left fans in awe as he ensured his team’s victory in an intense second-round battle.
Host oversaw the proceedings, which saw both teams eager to make it through to the quarter finals but Oxford’s Wadham College students faced a harrowing start, trailing by 40 points after a dazzling opening from their rivals.
Taking to social media, impressed viewers were keen to heap praise on Salamanca Camacho. They were particularly wowed by the fact he is talented in both Spanish and English.
I’m sorry, but imagine competing in the Spanish equivalent of , in Spanish, and absolutely smashing it. Wow, Salamanca Camacho
— Leonie Marianne ?????? (@LeonieMarianne)
On X, one person said: “Salamanca Camacho could be a team all on his own”, while another commented: “Salamanca Camacho is on fire” and a third penned: “Salamanca Camacho is an absolute machine!”
The Imperial student holds a double degree in Physics and Mathematics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. Fluent in English, his native tongue is Spanish which further impressed fans. One added: “I’m sorry, but imagine competing in the Spanish equivalent of , in Spanish, and absolutely smashing it. Wow, Salamanca Camacho”.
The team from Oxford’s Wadham College were no match, with their initial score plummeting to zero after a fatal misstep on a FIFA World Cup-related question as Imperial continued to march on.
Imperial steadily crushed the competition, leaving viewers agape as they racked up a towering lead of 290 points to Wadham’s null score with less than ten minutes on the clock. Despite a valiant effort towards the end, Wadham was only able to muster a slight 25-point comeback against Imperial’s seismic 345-point finish.
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Even seasoned presenter Amol Rajan, 41, expressed sheer astonishment at the team’s extraordinary victory. He said: “Well, what can I say? (Wadham) you were up against an absolutely ludicrous team. I mean, they are absolutely phenomenal.
“No one could be in any doubt watching you what a bunch of enormously brilliant and clever young people you are, so thank you so much for playing so well. Imperial, that’s a big score and it’s going to scare the other people. Well done.”
Imperial College London is University Challenge’s most successful team, having won the BBC quiz tournament a staggering five times. The team is also on the longest winning streak in the programme’s history with 14 matches.
continues Monday at 8.30pm on BBC Two.