8 golds, 13 silvers, 16 bronzes at the first International Nuclear Science Olympiad

Thirty-seven Olympians brought home the fruits of their months-long labor at the close of the first-ever International Nuclear Science Olympiad held August 1-6 at the New Clark City in the Philippines. Eight clinched gold, 13 bagged silver, and 16 won bronze among 55 contenders from 14 Asia-Pacific countries. 

The medalists comprise a mix of junior and senior high school students aged 20 years and below.

Gold medalists were the following: Caldras Tan Hong Xun, Caleb Chia, Tran Doan Duy Phuc, and Wong Kheng Hshin (Singapore); Mohammad Nur G. Casib and Neil Kyle Olaer Maniquis (Philippines); M N Ahamed Mushab (Sri Lanka); and Nopparuj Sodsri (Thailand).

Meanwhile, silver medalists include: Nonpawit Koheng, Rawisara Chokdeepanich, and Tharatep Lertpetaiy (Thailand); Isaac Toh Thiam Tek and Lim Yee Jian (Malaysia); Subhan Kashif and Suleman Nouman (Pakistan); Pabasara Kaushalya Maduwage and W. A. Akila Chamodya Bandara (Sri Lanka); Seyedabolfazl Mahdaei (Iran); Jeremiah E. Auza (Philippines); Galvandi Ibrahim (Qatar); and Mohammed Akrikish (Saudi Arabia).

Bronze medalists were: Ayda Bina, Seyed Mohammad Sajadiyan, and Shayan Rezazadeh (Iran); Arell Yazid Fazrin Bin Mohd Fauzi and Saratt Suthagar (Malaysia); Ehban Awan and Qasim Salam (Pakistan); Ganzorig Khuslen and Nyam-Ayush Tuvshin (Mongolia); Azzam Khalid Abdullah Alomari, Hala Salman Al Abbad, and Hasan Alawadh (Saudi Arabia); Hasan Aman (Bahrain); Omar Amjad Yousef Shbeita (Jordan); Aditya Vivek (Qatar); and Saayuj Ion Mathew (UAE).

Special awards were also conferred to Tran Doan Duy Phuc (Singapore) and Mohammad Nur G. Casib (Philippines)  for obtaining the highest points in the experimental and theoretical exams respectively. Further, Casib held the highest points overall, earning him the title “Nuclear Ambassador.” 

The contestants came as teams representing their respective countries, but they competed as individuals. Further, they were ranked according to the points they obtained in the two exams in which Casib emerged as topnotcher. 

In her message, Ms. Helena Zhivistkaya, expert of the Nuclear Knowledge Management Section of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy, reminded the contestants, “The Olympiad is not just a competition but also building long-lasting cooperation for future activities.’’ (INSO Publicity Working Team)