Australian Maths Team Sees Success in Japan

The Australian team participating in the 64th annual International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Japan was awarded five medals and an honourable mention, seeing Australia rank 23rd out of the 112 countries that took part in this year’s competition.

Australia continues to show strongly in international maths competition with our teams placing in the top 25 of all participating countries in 8 out of the last 10 contests.

The six-student team from schools in NSW and Victoria, who are in Years 9 to 12, competed against more than 620 of the brightest young mathematicians from across the world.

Australia’s top performer in 2023, Zian Shang, scored a total of 35 points, ranking him 26th in the world and earning him a Gold Medal.

Australia’s other medals awarded were Silver Medals for William Cheah and Christopher Tran, and Bronze Medals for Sizhe Pan and Cloris Xu. An Honourable Mention went to Iris Xu - this award goes to those students that solve a complete problem on the paper.

The team's results were:                                                                                                             

William Cheah Year 9 Scotch College, Vic, Silver

Sizhe Pan Year 12 James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW, Bronze

Zian Shang Year 12 Scotch College, Vic, Gold

Christopher Tran Year 12 The University High School, Vic, Silver

Cloris Xu Year 11 Baulkham Hills High School, NSW, Bronze

Iris Xu Year 11 Baulkham Hills High School, NSW Hon. Mention

In 2023, Gold Medals were awarded for those students scoring 32 and over, Silver for those students scoring 25 and over, and Bronze was awarded for those students scoring 18 and over. Students that solved a complete problem are awarded an honourable mention. The maximum possible points scored at the IMO is 42 points per contestant.

The selected students spent a year participating in exams and intensive training within the Australian Maths Trust’s (AMT) Performance and Pathways program.

“It is so exciting to see our IMO team perform so well this year.  The team has worked exceptionally hard this year and it’s wonderful to see all their efforts rewarded - I congratulate them all on their outstanding achievements.  I am also very grateful to our supporting staff, led by Dr Angelo Di Pasquale, who have assisted the team in their preparations.  Our continued strong performances at the IMO are inspiring particularly as we work towards hosting the IMO in Australia in 2025,” said Nathan Ford, CEO, AMT.

Image by DJ