Hong Kong mathletes win big at the 2015 International Mathematical Olympiad
Local students put on an impressive performance at last week's event in Thailand, taking home two silver and three bronze medals
Team Hong Kong members (from left) Tung Kam-chuen, Harry Yu Hoi-wai, Cheung Wai-lam, Kwok Man-yi, Samuel Lee, John Michael Wu, team leader Dr Law Ka-ho and deputy leader Chow Chi-hong.Five Hong Kong students were awarded medals at the the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Thailand last week.
Out of 577 students from 104 countries around the world, La Salle College's Form Four student Harry Yu Hoi-wai and Hong Kong International School's (HKIS) Grade 10 student John Michael Wu received silver medals.
Harry was one of only 11 students to receive full marks on the toughest question of the competition. It's not his first time competing in the IMO: last year he was awarded bronze medal. "To me [winning silver medal this year] is recognition of my efforts in the field of mathematics...giving direction as to where my further studies should lead me in the future," he said, adding that he was thankful of the support his school, teachers and teammates have given.
Michael's silver medal was no surprise to his classmates and teachers. Rachel Tang, 17, said: "Michael is always thinking and one step ahead of everyone else. If you need help in class, he's the guy that everyone turns to."
Ian Gill, the head of the mathematics department at HKIS, told Young Post that Michael has qualified for the AIME (American International Mathematics Examination) and subsequent USAJMO (United States Junior Maths Olympiad) twice since he joined HKIS in Grade Nine. He called it a "phenomenal achievement".
Hong Kong's success continued as Kwok Man-yi, Form Four student from Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School; Samuel Lee, Form Four student from CNEC Christian College; and Cheung Wai-lam, Form Five student from Queen Elizabeth School, took home bronze medals for their efforts. Tung Kam-chuen, a Form Six student from La Salle College, was given an honourable mention.
Next year's IMO will be held in Hong Kong at the University of Science and Technology.