SPENDING four to five hours a day studying and solving mathematical problems is the norm for 20-year-old Wong Jer Ren, who recently won the Silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad 2024 (IMO 2024).
The Malaysian team, comprising Wong and five others, secured the 33rd position in the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad 2024, held at the University of Bath, England, from July 11 to 22.
The six team members were Wong, Ivan Chan Guan Yu, Loh Kwong Weng, Tan Min Heng, Daryl Lee Ker Ru, and Leia Mayssa Masyerin.
Wong shared his passion for mathematics, which began in primary school.
“I started learning the Kumon Method when I was seven years old and joined the IMO programme in Malaysia when I was 10.
“The Malaysia IMO Committee is responsible for selecting, training, and managing the Malaysian team for the IMO.
“Most of the time, I learn from our ex-Olympians and spend four to five hours daily solving past-year questions,” Wong told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Wong, who recently completed his Cambridge A-Level programme at INTI International College Penang, described his experience with IMO problems as enjoyable due to their requirement for creativity.
“Unlike some mathematical questions which can be repetitive or boring, these problems are challenging,” he said.
According to the IMO official website, IMO 2024 attracted 609 participants from 108 countries.
Tan Min Heng, 20, the youngest of three siblings, also shared his journey.
“I began learning the Kumon Method at the age of five. My first mathematics competition was the Kangaroo Math Competition, which I participated in when I was nine.
“I study mathematics during my free time, about three to four hours on average daily,” Tan said. He won the Bronze medal in the IMO 2024.
When asked for advice for younger generations interested in participating in the IMO National Selection Test, Wong and Tan said, “Don’t let go of your dreams. Learn from our ex-Olympians and attempt the past-year questions.”
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian and courtesy of contributors