Depok, West Java, October 8, 2026 — The Indonesian team achieved a brilliant achievement at the 23rd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) in 2026. From the competition that brought together young mathematics and science talents from various countries, Indonesia managed to win six gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals.
This achievement is the result of a long process, hard work, and the participants' enthusiasm for learning. For Aiden Gracio, the gold medalist in Mathematics, this success is a source of pride, having gone through various preparation and competitions.
"I am very happy and proud of myself because our hard work has finally paid off," said Aiden, a sixth-grade student at Witama Plus Srikandi Elementary School, Pekanbaru.
Aiden also learned an important lesson during the competition. He said that participants need to be able to manage pressure when competing, as it can affect their results. "Don't let pressure take over during the competition, as it can negatively impact your results. A medal that should have won gold could drop to silver due to pressure," he said.
For Laudya Senja Madinah Alisjahbana, a gold medalist in Science from SDIA 61 Summarecon Serpong, IMSO-23 is not only a space to compete, but also an opportunity to learn and gain new experiences with other participants.
"I'm proud and happy. I want to keep trying to improve at school. The most enjoyable experience is studying with friends and learning new things," said Laudya.
Laudya advised other students not to make the desire to be the best their sole goal. She believed the most important thing was maximizing their efforts to achieve their desired results. "The important thing is that you've tried. You don't have to be the best, but you must maximize your hard work to achieve the results you desire," she said.
Meanwhile, Muchammad Fachri, the Indonesian Team Leader at IMSO-23, stated that the team's six gold medal haul exceeded expectations. Overall, Indonesia won six gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals.
"This is something we should be grateful for. The results were truly beyond our expectations. We didn't expect to win this many medals, but Indonesia has won so many medals," he said.
Of the six gold medals, four were won in mathematics, while the other two were won in science. In mathematics, Indonesia also won 13 silver medals and 14 bronze medals. Meanwhile, in science, Indonesia won 14 silver medals and 14 bronze medals.
According to Fachri, these achievements weren't achieved through short preparation. Participants who want to participate in IMSO need to build their skills through consistent learning and practice. "IMSO requires hard work, not just a month or two, but years," he said.
He encouraged students across Indonesia to continue learning and not lose their enthusiasm. He believed that perseverance in learning can open up opportunities for students to excel, not only in math and science, but also in various other fields.
Learn and Grow Together
Tahmid Hasan, the Bangladesh representative who won a gold medal in science, also demonstrated a spirit of persistence. He admitted that he initially expected to win only a silver or bronze medal because he felt he hadn't performed optimally in the competition.
Therefore, winning the gold medal was both a surprise and a joy for him. Beyond the achievement, Tahmid considered the experience of interacting with participants from various countries to be one of the most valuable experiences during IMSO-23.
According to him, competition participants should never give up easily because there's always the chance to discover new possibilities and opportunities. "Never give up. There's always the chance to see new possibilities. If we give up, everything becomes meaningless. However, if we keep fighting, one day we can achieve it," he said.
For these young talents, their achievements at IMSO-23 aren't the end of the road. The six gold medals are proof that achievement comes from learning, training, courage in facing challenges, and a willingness to persevere.
Fachri also advised the students to continue developing themselves. "Keep learning, don't lose your enthusiasm, and work hard. I hope Indonesian students can bring honor to Indonesia in various fields and help Indonesia become better and more advanced," he concluded. (Writer and Photographer: Rayhan/Editors: Ririn, Seno)
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