Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019
Science and Technology

This year marks the 60th International Mathematics Olympiad, or IMO. The international competition aims to discover young talented mathematicians from all over the world, along with fostering exchanges between young people who enjoy mathematics and leaders working in the educational field.

At this year’s IMO, 621 students from 112 countries and regions participated. 6 students from Japan were chosen from among 6,927 Japanese students who participated in domestic competitions. IMO participants were required to answer a total of six questions across a period of two days, competing to earn the highest score in total. On both the first and second days, the students were given 4.5 hours to answer 3 questions. Japan won a total of 6 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) placing 13th overall among all countries.

The six medalists paid a courtesy visit to MEXT Minister Shibayama Masahiko on July 23rd to report their results and receive a certificate of merit from the minister.

The minister congratulated the students for their outstanding results, saying taking on the world stage and interacting with young people from all over the world is a precious treasure that they will stay on with them throughout their lives, and will be a source of encouragement in their future endeavors in a variety of fields.

Taiyo Kodama, a 6th year student at the Kaiyo Academy who won gold said he is very proud to win a gold medal and shared an episode of enjoying playing card games and karaoke with other students.

Another student from Kaiyo Academy, 5th year Yudai Hiraishi who won silver, said he gave it his all, and how the competition has been an invaluable for his future, and being able to mingle with students from other countries.

Bronze medalist Naoki Watanabe from Hiroshima University affiliated Junior and Senior High School said while he has many regrets, he hopes to revenge his defeat next year.

*Link to International Mathematics Olympiad