In a stunning display of talent, four brilliant students from Singapore brought home gold medals from the prestigious International Biology Olympiad, tying for the coveted first place with China. This year, the competition drew participants from a whopping 78 countries.

Meet the Medalists!

The champions from NUS High School of Math and Science, Nicholas Ng and Raghav Kumar, both 17, showed remarkable skill. Nicholas secured a commendable fourth place, while Raghav showcased his prowess alongside Wang Yun Xi, 18, from Raffles Institution, who also claimed gold. Yun Xi, an avid netball player, chose academics over sports this year, opting for the biology camp instead of participating in the National School Games.

The Competition Details

Taking place in Quezon City, Philippines, from July 20 to 27, the annual biology competition tested 298 students on both theoretical and practical segments of biology. Despite facing health issues during the event, Team Singapore persevered and triumphed, with Nicholas expressing gratitude for the chance to represent his country.

Success in Physics Too!

But Singapore's achievements didn’t stop at biology. The nation also excelled in the International Physics Olympiad held in France, where a five-member squad earned one gold and four silver medals, finishing in a joint 10th position globally.

Personal Challenges and Triumphs

Among the standout performers was Teo Kai Wen, a 17-year-old from Raffles Institution, who snagged the sole gold in physics and placed 25th among 440 competitors. He shared the unique challenges of competing under the summer sun, highlighting sleep deprivation as a major hurdle.

A Nation’s Pride

The Ministry of Education congratulated all participants for their stellar performances across various disciplines, including chemistry, geography, mathematics, and even artificial intelligence. This celebration of excellence not only highlights the students’ hard work but also affirms Singapore’s rising status as a global education powerhouse.