World Quizzing Championships held in Herzele, Belgium

Herzele, Belgium, hosted the World Quizzing Championships, drawing approximately 100 participants from across Belgium to the Wattenfabriek venue. The event was brought to the East Flanders municipality by the local quiz team, Smarties Junior.

Tom Hofman of Smarties Junior explained that his team took over the organization after the previous host city, Ninove, ceased its involvement. Hofman contacted the Wattenfabriek and the municipal government to secure Herzele as the new host. Mayor Benjamin Rogiers expressed satisfaction with the choice, deeming the Wattenfabriek an ideal location and the event a positive for the municipality.

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This is like taking an exam, but for fun. I'll be failing anyway, but I don't mind. I'll be happy if I get about 30 percent right.

The main competition on Saturday afternoon featured participants competing individually against each other. Hofman detailed that contestants answered a total of 240 questions across two one-hour sessions, divided into four quiz rounds each. Globally, between 2,000 and 2,500 quizzers participated, according to Steven De Ceuster of the International Quizzing Association (IQA). A team quiz also took place on Friday evening, with 67 teams competing.

Belgian participant Sebastiaan Mattheus, 30, described the event as distinct from typical pub or neighborhood quizzes, offering a fun challenge. He noted that while he excels in certain areas, other rounds might not be his strongest suit, unlike team quizzes where members can complement each other's knowledge. Beatrijs Vermaere, 44, participating for the first time, compared it to taking an exam for fun, expressing contentment with achieving even a low score.

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It's something very different from regular quizzes. For me, it's a fun challenge.