Iloilo math wizards win big in Hong Kong

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Twenty-four Ilonggo students have shown the world how to tackle Mathematics with a breeze. 

Composed of students from kindergarten to Grade 9, the team of young mathematicians raked in a world star trophy, two champion trophies, 22 medals and two certificates at the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad (HKIMO) held in Hong Kong from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

The team competed against 19 other countries.

The young Ilonggos emerged from Ling To Primary Catholic School in Ho Man Tin in Hong Kong with eight gold, eight silver and six bronze medals and two merit awards.

Among the highlights of the team’s victory are special individual awards given to students who showed exemplary performance.

Matthew Defensor, a Grade 5 student from Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo, received the World Star trophy and a free HKIMO 2020 free and easy package for being the best performer from the Philippines. Defensor also received a trophy for being World Champion in his grade level.

James Martin Young, a Grade 9 student from Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus, received a Champion trophy for being World Champion in his grade level.

“I feel proud and honored to be one of the team leaders of Team Iloilo. We survived Hong Kong and we went home with World Star and Champion awards. We thank our supportive parents and mentors, who, despite the riot, did push through to make Iloilo a home of champions in this international math olympiad. We will continue with this endeavor to enhance the quality of mathematics in the region,” HKIMO - Iloilo team leader and coordinator Stephen Jinon said.

Other participating teams came from Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine.