Issa Schultz follows a daily routine that few can match.
“I wake up, brew my coffee, then head to the computer for quizzes. After lunch, I return for more quizzes,” he states. “It might sound obsessive, but I embrace it. It’s fair to say I treat it like a full-time job.”
Schultz is the top quizzing champion in Australia, known among enthusiasts for his serious approach to trivia. Quizzing is not just a pastime for him; it defines his life. Every year, he appears on Channel 7 for about six weeks as one of the “Chasers” on the quiz show Chase Australia. The rest of his time is spent immersed in various topics, from sibling rivalries to AFL Drafts and Academy Award winners.
“I could easily go outside and engage in normal activities,” he chuckles. “But as one single guy without family responsibilities, I’ve got the unique opportunity to invest time into this.”
“What’s crazier is that some individuals dedicate even more time than I do, especially in the UK and the US.”
Quizzing is a niche but worldwide phenomenon, thriving from North America to Europe and India. It can often be viewed as an evolution of pub trivia, particularly in its complexity. Schultz participated with pub teams daily before advancing to the next level. “When we enter international quizzes, pub trivia just isn’t challenging enough,” he explains.
A standard quiz question isn’t necessarily straightforward, often requiring one to connect seemingly unrelated images (“Was he a Chilean military dictator from 1973 to 1990?”).
Instead of raucous environments, the world of quizzing tends to be characterized by silence or solitude. The premier event in the quizzing calendar is the World Quiz Championship, held each June, where participants solve questions read by a proctor in a formal examination setting. Australia began hosting its national championship in February across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. These events, devoid of prizes, ascertain rankings both nationally and globally, with enthusiasts also exploring smaller competitions and Zoom leagues.
“Usually, when I tell people about my weekend plans, I say, ‘I’m off to the library to sit quietly with a group of fellow nerds for an hour,'” shares Sally Gridley, an enthusiastic Australian quizzer. “We’ll take an exam for fun. Prizes? No, it’s purely for bragging rights, and you have to pay to participate.”
Gridley has been a serious quizzer for 11 years and even secured a win on a quiz show. Programs like The Chase and Mastermind capture audiences with their excitement and are one of the few effective ways to monetize one’s hobby. Gridley estimates the Australian quizzing community comprises around 30-35 regular quizzers, while the Global Leaderboard indicates unofficial membership is below 2,000. Participants note it’s a small yet committed community, warm and inviting to newcomers.
Nonetheless, a specific demographic predominates: men. Gridley estimates she is one of about eight regular female quizzers across Australia, where local groups are approximately 90% male. There are overlaps in other communities as well.
“It’s important to note that quizzing is quite popular among neurodivergent demographics; many quizzers have conditions such as autism and ADHD,” Gridley mentions. “In fact, I might be the most socially engaged person at any quiz event.”
Or as Schultz puts it, “There are many quirky individuals, and we embrace eccentricities!”
To climb the leaderboard as a quizzing participant, a unique form of dedication is required.
Aaran Mohann, a 35-year-old financial worker ranking third in Australia, believes he isn’t as dedicated to studying as many of his counterparts. His primary strategy involves completing numerous online quizzes, as competitors often cover similar topics. For instance, many focus on events from Coldplay concerts and popular culture phenomena like Dubai Chocolate.
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Flashcards as memory aids have gained popularity within the quizzing community, reveals Mohan. “It’s clear that many quizzers delve deeply into Wikipedia. One article leads to another, and before you know it, hours have passed.”
Schultz expects films to feature prominently in quizzes. He also invests in DK reference books covering topics from medicine to fishing, transcribing intriguing facts into his notebooks—a system that is “pointless to anyone except myself.”
However, he sets limits. “Pat Gibson is among the best British quizzers of all time and reads about five newspapers daily. I can’t keep up with that.”
There’s much to appreciate about being a dedicated quizzer beyond mere competition and TV appearances. Gridley finds fulfillment in answering questions correctly, and the knowledge she gains benefits her career as a teacher. Mohan states that his hobby satisfies his innate curiosity about the world. The quizzing process improves attention to detail, as participants must read questions closely to avoid misnaming cities instead of countries.
For Schultz, this pursuit offers a soothing sense of consistency.
“I appreciate that it’s all centered around facts and truths in an era dominated by AI and misinformation. [fake news] He explains. Charles I will always be Charles I, today and 100 years from now.”
Schultz cherishes the life he has crafted around quizzes, for better or worse.
“I’ve never driven a car, I can’t cook, and I often lose my house keys… I think outside of quizzing, I seem to lack direction. My fate seems intertwined with this.”
Schultz is determined to retain his status as Australia’s number one quizzer, a title he has maintained since 2011.
“Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, has dedicated his life to running; I aim to dedicate my life to quizzing,” he states. “After all, why not?”
Source: www.theguardian.com
