Fourth-grader Igor Blinkow is this year’s Geography Bee Champion at Sumner Elementary School. -- Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

Fourth-grader wins Sumner Geography Bee

After a grueling, brain-crunching onslaught almost two hours long, fourth-grader Igor Blinkow stands tall. Blinkow is Sumner Elementary School’s Geography Bee Champion this year.

Blinkow withstood question after question on geography topics and places from the Phillipines to Namibia, from Madagascar to Iowa. He was one of more than 20 competitors vying for the title.

The pressure was on once the final round came. A more than 10-way tie resulted in eight finalists, who answered a few more questions before three students emerged. Blinkow said it was “terrifying” to be onstage as one of the finalists.

“I didn’t know I was going to win,” he said.

Yet he remained strong, ultimately emerging victorious. Blinkow must take a test through the National Geographic Society to find out if he will go to a regional Geography Bee. He credits the studying he did with his mom — every day — for the big win.

“It feels great,” he said.