Minkyum Kim, left, and Youkym Kim with the American team leader Professor Poh Shen Loh at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Norway, Oslo.
Between them two Durbanville brothers have achieved a silver medal and an honourable mention after representing South Africa at two international maths Olympiads
More than 100 countries competed in both the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held in Norway, last month, and the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), held in Morocco in June.
The two maths wizards, Youkym Kim, in Grade 9, and Minkyum Kim, in Grade 11, both attend the Reddam House Durbanville private school.
The SA team participating in the IMO was ranked 63rd out of 104 participating countries, according to Marisa Louw, spokesperson for the South African Mathematics Foundation.
“The team who participated in the PAMO brought home three silver and two bronze medals. Morocco and Tunisia were in the joint first place. South Africa ranked third out of nine African countries,” she said.
Youkyum won a silver medal at the PAMO Olympiad while Minkyum earned an honourable mention at the IMO Olympiad.
The siblings told Northern News that competing abroad was a wonderful experience, although the exam questions were quite challenging they also enjoyed meeting lots of people from different backgrounds.
Last year, Northern News also reported on how the Kim brothers proved their mettle at the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (”Durbanville pupils among SA’s top maths boffs,” Northern News, October 2021).
Reddam House Durbanville executive head Barry Nieuwoudt said he was proud of Minkuym and Youkyum for their maths abilities and dedication to the subject.