The opening Week 1 match of Quarter IV, the final quarter of the 26th Road to Olympia Mount, featured four contestants: Nguyen Hoang Nguyen (Y Don Secondary and High School, Gia Lai), Nguyen Doan Hoang Son (Hanoi National University of Education High School for the Gifted), Le Ha Hoang Dang (Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City), and Nguyen Duc Kien (Than Uyen High School, Lai Chau).
The Warm-up round began with a closely contested race, as Duc Kien and Hoang Son each scored 50 points to share the lead. Hoang Dang earned 10 points, while Hoang Nguyen still had plenty of opportunities to recover in the later rounds.
The 16-letter Overcome Obstacle round brought an early turning point. Duc Kien selected the first clue, but only Hoang Son answered correctly. For the next clue, Hoang Dang rang the bell correctly before the host had finished reading the question, solving the obstacle.
His decisive answer put him in in a tie with Hoang Son for first place with 60 points, while Duc Kien remained behind with 50 and Hoang Nguyen still had every chance to fight back.
The Speed-up round saw the standings change repeatedly. Duc Kien produced the strongest performance, moving into first place with 160 points. Hoang Dang followed with 110 points, Hoang Son had 100, while Hoang Nguyen was still searching for his first points.
The Finish round ultimately proved decisive.
Duc Kien got to start and selected three 20-point questions but he failed to score on the opening two. On the final question, Hoang Son rang the bell, claiming the turn, and provided the correct answer, stealing the points.
Hoang Son also chose three 20-point questions. The Hanoi schoolboy answered the first two correctly, moving into the lead.
Hoang Dang then opted for the same 20-point package. Drawing on his knowledge of history, he scored on the opening question. However, after Hoang Dang missed the second question, Hoang Son successfully answered it, extending his advantage. Hoang Nguyen finally opened his account by correctly stealing the final question.
The last contestant, Hoang Nguyen, selected the 30-point package. After missing the opening question, he placed his Hope Star on the second, answered the English-language question correctly, and earned 60 points. On the final question, however, Hoang Son once again rang in with the correct answer, adding 30 crucial points and sealing the victory.
At the end of the contest, Nguyen Doan Hoang Son emerged victorious with 195 points. Nguyen Duc Kien finished second with 130 points, followed by Le Ha Hoang Dang with 80 points and Nguyen Hoang Nguyen with 50 points.
With his consistent performance throughout the contest and composure in the Finish round, Nguyen Doan Hoang Son became the first contestant to advance to the Month 1 competition of Quarter IV in the 26th season of Road to Olympia Mount.
