Four Gold Medals and One Silver at International Mathematics Olympiad 2024

Young Math Geniuses Shine: Gold and Silver Medals Awarded at IMO 2024

The winners of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2024 were announced in a thrilling exhibition of mathematical skills. This year, five outstanding students are highlighted for their incredible skill and commitment to mathematics. Of them, four have received gold medals, and one silver medal was earned, which is an impressive accomplishment on an international level. India was represented at the International Mathematics Olympiad 2024 by a team of six students. From July 11 to July 22, the team competed in the event held in Bath, United Kingdom. Along with congratulating the team, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the occasion as "a matter of immense joy and pride." He stated in his X post that the accomplishment will keep motivating young people and contribute to the growing involvement of students in mathematics.

In addition to medals, the team received an honorable mention at the function. Out of the 108 competing countries, the team is ranked fourth. Six boys from various states in the nation made up the Indian team: Rushil Mathur from Maharashtra, Arjun Gupta from Delhi, Adhitya Mangudy Venkata Ganesh from Maharashtra, Ananda Bhaduri from Assam, Kanav Talwar from Uttar Pradesh, and Siddharth Choppara from Maharashtra. Adhitya Mangudy Venkata Ganesh, Ananda Bhaduri, Arjun Gupta, and Siddharth Choppara were the four boys from the six who took part in IMO 2023. Dr. Rijul Saini from the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education and Professor Krishnan Sivasubramanian from IIT Bombay served as the team's leaders. Additionally, Dr. Saini has won medals from the IMO. To represent India internationally, students must pass six phases of testing. In the first step, known as the preliminary round, students are assessed using multiple-choice questions about fundamental Maths concepts. In the second round, which is called the Regional Mathematical Olympiad, contestants have three hours to finish six questions.

The Indian National Mathematical Olympiad is the third stage. Only 35 of the approximately 900 students chosen in the third round are shortlisted for the fourth round. The students praticipate in the event from throughout the country. The top six applicants are chosen to represent India at the IMO during the 10-day residential training program in Mumbai, which serves as stage four. Students receive instruction through lectures, examinations, and problem-solving sessions. These six shortlisted candidates are required to compete in the International Biology Olympiad final round, where they receive enhanced training in the form of lectures, examinations, and mock papers. Arjun Gupta, the silver medallist, learned about the Olympics from his father. "This is my third consecutive year representing India at the Olympiad," he remarked, sharing his experience. “In IMO 2022, IMO 2023, and IMO 2024, I took home bronze, gold, and silver medals, respectively. IMO festively honors mathematics. Experiencing several cultures has expanded my viewpoint and enhanced my comprehension of worldwide variety. Additionally, I got to teach my friends about rich Indian culture, which promoted respect and admiration for one another. This experience has improved not only my mathematics abilities but also my personal development.”

In 2018 and 2019, Gupta participated in the Chess Championship on behalf of the nation. Nevertheless, he was unable to give the Olympiads his all because of the 75% CBSE attendance requirement. "I attended DPS Rohini until Class 9, at which point I transferred to the National Institute of Open Schooling. My parents asked the school administration to excuse him from class and tests, but they turned it down, citing the CBSE's promotion guidelines that demand a minimum of 33% and a minimum of 75% attendance”, the man claimed. According to Arjun, other kids who represent India at the national and international levels also deal with similar problems.

Kanav Talwar, a Class 11 student from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, claimed that these international tests are challenging. "I began preparing for the Olympiads in Maths by working through problems in Class 7, then progressively raised the difficulty of the questions. Despite spending the last two to three years studying for these tests, I was unable to advance to the final round. But this year, I passed every exam and was selected for Team India.” Ananda Bhaduri, another winner, has already been accepted to Imperial College in London. He claimed to have participated in several local Olympiads from Class 8 and to have connected with the "Art of Problem Solving" portal after that. The gateway serves as a training ground for pupils to hone their problem-solving abilities. "I had the chance to speak and work with several intelligent people via this gateway. I was able to learn more about Olympiads because of the many online forums and courses available," he remarked.

Class 12 student Rushil Mathur described receiving the gold medal as a "dream come true" event for him as it allowed him to meet like-minded folks at these kinds of gatherings. "I had a great time talking about Maths with people from different countries and hearing their perspectives on the subject," the 18-year-old man, who was making his international debut, remarked. "I expected that our country would be in the top 5 as we were a very strong team, but I was not sure about getting a gold medal for myself," he stated in response to the question of whether he was anticipating a gold medal and a fourth-place finish. Mathur now intends to pursue undergraduate studies in computer science and mathematics at Oxford University. Siddharth Choppara and Adhitya Mangudy Venkata Ganesh collaborated on their IMO 2024 preparations. They both took part in the IMO 2023 as well.

Editor’s Note:

The remarkable skill of young mathematicians from all over the world has once again been on display at the International Mathematics Olympiad 2024. The winners of the gold and silver medals stand for both individual brilliance and the combined might of their home nations in fostering and advancing mathematical talent. The triumph of these young champions' at the IMO 2024 serve as a reminder of the value of tenacity, imagination, and passion in the pursuit of academic greatness, even as their accomplishments continue to inspire. The mathematics community looks forward to these bright minds' future contributions and is sure that they will keep pushing the frontiers of knowledge and creativity in the years to come.

Skoobuzz congratulates all the winners to make India proud in IMO as well as reflecting the country’s growing prowess in mathematics.