South Africa’s top maths learners delivered the best performance in over 20 years at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia.
Sunshine Coast, Australia (21 July 2025) – If solving for x ever felt like a mystery to you, do not worry because South Africa’s brightest young mathematicians just cracked far bigger puzzles at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Australia and made history while doing it.
Five of the six teens representing the country came home with bronze medals, while the sixth earned a well-deserved honourable mention. This marks Mzansi’s best performance in over 20 years at the global competition, and honestly, it’s safe to say the numbers were in our favour.
Meet the medal-winning minds:
- Youkyum Kim (Reddam House Durbanville)
- Moied Baleg (Settlers High)
- Pocoyo Pun (Elkanah House)
- Eli Max Williams (Westerford High)
- Yian Xu (Redhill High)
- Ellen Grant-Smith (Westerford High) with Honourable Mention
Special mention to Yian Xu, officially recognised as Africa’s top female high school mathematician. Her recognition is not just a personal victory, but a national milestone for young women in STEM across Africa.
Their journey did not start in Australia; it began with local maths competitions, gruelling national training camps, and an unwavering commitment to conquering complex problems.
This achievement follows closely on the heels of another standout moment. Earlier this year, Team South Africa also impressed at the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), hosted by the Mathematical Association of Botswana at the University of Botswana.
With this kind of brainpower, the future of South African science, tech, and innovation looks promising and practically bulletproof. One thing is clear, these learners are not just good at maths, they are rewriting the formula for success.
Sources: SA Mathematics Foundation / Good News South Africa
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