International Mathematical Olympiad 2026 Underway in Shanghai, China — 6 Japanese Representatives Compete

Explanation

The '67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026),' a festival for high school students to determine the world's best in mathematics, is being held in Shanghai, China from July 10 to 21, 2026. It is a mathematics olympiad that brings together representatives from more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

The competition is simple yet grueling. Each day, contestants have 4.5 hours to tackle 3 problems, for a total of 6 problems over two days. The problems are drawn from algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, testing not just the ability to reach an answer but to write out a complete proof. Each problem is worth 7 points, for a maximum total of 42 points.

Japan is fielding 6 representatives: from Nada High School, Shogo Ando (2nd year), Yusuke Hamamoto (3rd year), and Ryunosuke Hara (2nd year); from La Salle High School, Shinjiro Hamakawa (3rd year); and from Kaisei High School, Nariki Ito (3rd year) and Soichiro Kitano (1st year). At the 66th competition held in Australia last year, Japan achieved strong results with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal, and expectations are high for this year's results as well.

A distinctive feature of IMO problems is that they test 'ideas' more than 'knowledge,' and many problem statements can be understood with only junior high school-level mathematics. Trying past problems should reveal a puzzle-like fascination with mathematics quite different from textbook math.