After 20 years since the final match, the runner-up of the 5th Road to Olympia (2004) is now a doctor, working at the Department of Joint Surgery - Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Trauma - Plastic Surgery, Hue Central Hospital.
The reason he is called “the most regrettable runner-up of Road to Olympia” is because throughout the competition, Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao left a deep impression on the audience when he demonstrated convincing performance, bravery, confidence, sharpness, and intelligent, accurate answers. In the final round of Road to Olympia 5, he came in second with a score of 210, only 10 points behind the laurel wreath winner.
Thanh Nien reporter recently had a conversation with Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao.
Thai Bao (far right) was the runner-up of Road to Olympia in 2004. PHOTO: NVCC
About the contest 20 years ago…
Do you regret coming in second and only 10 points behind the laurel wreath winner?
It is true that I felt a little regretful at that moment, because everyone wants to win a prize in a competition. Of course, if you don't win, it is a pity. But gradually, as I grew older, it was different. I realized that it was an experience and a memory of my high school days. I realized that if I strive harder, I will have many other bigger and more important goals, helping me to progress more in my life later on.
Are you still in contact with the contestants in the final that year?
The program had many side activities, meetings, exchanges... so the 4 contestants constantly contacted and talked to each other before, during and after the competition. At that time, no one had a phone like now. We often contacted each other via Yahoo Messenger, and we also talked to each other after a while. Gradually, each of us became busy with work in life so we rarely contacted each other. However, we are still friends.
Suppose that day you became the champion, you would have received a scholarship to study abroad in Australia, and maybe there would not be Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao like today?
If I had won then, it might have changed a few things. It’s like the “butterfly effect,” where one event changes a series of things. However, since I was little, I’ve wanted to become a doctor like my dad. No matter where I study, I want to be a doctor.
Thai Bao (far right) took a souvenir photo with his teacher and the Director of Hue Central Hospital (third from right) PHOTO: NVCC
From your perspective, what kind of program is Road to Olympia?
For me, this is a very good and useful TV program for high school students across the country. This knowledge competition is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding, demonstrate knowledge not only in textbooks but also demonstrate deeper, more comprehensive knowledge in many fields. The Road to Olympia has been maintained for 24 years and has always attracted the attention of a large audience. That is not easy and not every program can do it.
But there are opinions calling Road to Olympia “Road to Australia”, saying that the program is a place to select talents for Australia, which will cause a “brain drain”… What do you think about this point of view?
I don’t think so. If Australia wants to recruit talent, there will be many different ways, not just holding a competition and finally selecting only one person a year. We should not complicate the issue by thinking that it will cause a “brain drain”. Simply put, I just think that Road to Olympia is a playground for high school students.
So what do you think about the opinion of many people that: "If you win the Road to Olympia, you will have everything, but if you are the runner-up or third place, you will have nothing"?
If you win the championship and the laurel wreath, it will be a beautiful memory of your high school days. An achievement can help the champion achieve many things in life. But it is not only the champion who has it. Many other brothers, sisters, friends, and students, whether they have competed in the Road to Olympia or not, regardless of their rankings, have had and are having certain successes.
Obviously, it cannot be denied that if you win the Road to Olympia, you will have opportunities. If you can grasp and take advantage of them, it will help create certain advantages. It can be said that you can study abroad, acquire knowledge in foreign education, broaden your vision, experience, communication, experience new things... All are opportunities. But how each person takes full advantage of the opportunity, whether they take advantage of the opportunity well or not... that is another matter.
Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao PHOTO: NVCC
There is a view that the champions of Road to Olympia are the country's talents. Do you agree?
In my opinion, everyone who participates in Road to Olympia is a talented person. Besides, Vietnam also has many talented people, not just the champions. Students nowadays are very good, very well-rounded, many of them have excellent academic achievements.
There is also a view that the contestants of Road to Olympia are “fighting chickens”, only knowing how to memorize textbook knowledge. What would you say to them?
I don’t think so. Besides the textbook program, there are many questions from real life. I have met many candidates and found them to be quick, talented, and well-rounded. Some are very talented, extremely talented. They have broad, deep, and technical knowledge in many fields.
Dr. Thai Bao (far right) participates in a surgery with his teacher at Hue Central Hospital PHOTO: NVCC
If I were Vo Quang Phu Duc…
Every time you watch the show Road to Olympia, do you try to be a contestant?
Yes, I often answer questions. But to be honest, there are questions that I don't even understand what is being asked, but the candidates already have the answer. I have to admit that you are good.
Up to now, have you been impressed by any contestant or champion of Road to Olympia?
I am also impressed with many things. Because of the excellent display of knowledge, there are characteristics that make me feel good. For example, in the final round of Road to Olympia 2024, I like two students Nguyen Nguyen Phu (student of Hanoi National University of Education High School for the Gifted) and Vo Quang Phu Duc (student of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted, Thua Thien - Hue province). Both had fair competitions, and at the same time showed their strengths at certain times.
As an audience member and also a fellow student of Vo Quang Phu Duc, what do you think about the champion of Road to Olympia 2024?
Vo Quang Phu Duc is very agile, sharp, and calm. I once competed in the final round of Road to Olympia, so I understand that competing in a program that is broadcast live like that, with a large audience watching live and on television, is very stressful. It is not easy to stay calm. But I appreciate Vo Quang Phu Duc when he can maintain his train of thought under such pressure. In addition to staying calm under pressure, he can also come up with competition strategies to achieve the best results for himself.
You just mentioned Vo Quang Phu Duc’s “ring the bell to win” strategy. This is also a bell-ringing that has caused a lot of controversy on social media. If you were Vo Quang Phu Duc, would you ring the bell tactically like him?
If I were Vo Quang Phu Duc, I think I would also click. The important thing is that this does not violate the rules of the program.
Thai Bao took a photo with the teacher of Arthroscopy - Sports Medicine in the United States PHOTO: NVCC
To be successful in life…
As a former contestant and loyal audience of Road to Olympia, what do you expect from this program in the future?
I think Road to Olympia has lasted for 24 years, the program crew has done very well with a lot of experience. I hope the program will become better and better to create a playground for high school students to express themselves.
Many high school students cherish the dream of competing in the Road to Olympia, what do you tell them?
This is a great playground to prove your knowledge and style. However, if you do not have the opportunity to compete in the Road to Olympia or cannot win in this program, there are still countless other opportunities waiting ahead, and many goals that can be conquered to succeed.
For Mr. Bao, the achievement that makes him happiest in life is having a family, a good wife, good children, a good job, and achieving many of the goals he once desired. PHOTO: NVCC
From your experience, what do you think young people need to do to succeed in life?
Life is constantly changing and improving every day. In my opinion, to be successful, you need to have a plan and clear goals. You need to be steadfast with your goals to strive for and achieve. You should not be discouraged or distracted from your goals. And you need to upgrade and improve yourself every day.
Thanks for the chat!
After becoming the runner-up of the Road to Olympia in 2004, Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao won second prize in the national excellent chemistry competition and was admitted directly to Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. During his student years, he won the Golden Bell competition and was also retained as a lecturer at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
He then received a full scholarship from the Japanese Government to do a 4-year research at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hamamatsu Medical University. It took him 2.5 years to complete his doctoral program, and for the remaining 1.5 years, he applied to participate in difficult surgeries with leading experts, participated as a member of professors' projects to learn experience, and approach modern techniques in specialized surgery. After completing his research program, he returned to work in Vietnam. Currently, he is working at the Department of Joint Surgery - Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Trauma - Plastic Surgery, Hue Central Hospital.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/a-quan-gay-tiec-nuoi-nhat-duong-len-dinh-olympia-ngay-ay-bay-gio-ra-sao-185241019125815717.htm
Comment (0)