NZ Double Bronze in Italy

NZ Double Bronze in Italy

Two New Zealand students are thrilled with their success at having won medals at the world’s premier computer programming contest for high school students. Tony Sun from Auckland and Logan Glasson from Christchurch were awarded bronze medals at the closing ceremony in Montichiari, Italy on September 29.

The annual International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) had 317 contestants from over 80 countries. For these competitors there is no stadium filled with shouting supporters, instead a quiet auditorium with only keyboard clacking breaking the intense concentration during the two contests which each last five hours. The competition is designed to test the skills of the competitors in problem solving, designing algorithms and data structures, programming and rigorous testing. The standard of the competition seems to increase every year and for a small country like New Zealand to rank amongst the world’s best students is an amazing achievement.

Results are keenly watched by their supporters and families around the world on an online score board. Team leader, Margot Phillipps was anxiously viewing the scoreboard outside the competition hall in Italy. Phillipps says "It was a nervous wait during the second contest day. Tony and Logan had a very successful first day but the second day tasks were more challenging for them. We were very pleased that once again the New Zealand contestants more then held their own. Both students have been involved in the New Zealand Olympiad in Informatics (NZOI) progam for several years and their medals are a reward for many hours of training.”

Auckland Grammar student Sun, was representing New Zealand for the third time say how he was pleased with his first day score “I hadn’t felt I was going that well during the contest itself. I felt a bit disappointed I didn’t follow up the performance on the second day but am still really proud to get a bronze medal for New Zealand. The real reward is the journey.”

Glasson who attends Burnside High School in Christchurch is a third time IOI medal winner. He says “Italy has been a great experience, meeting new people and doing challenging Informatics. It is great to have won a medal “

Phillipps was also pleased with the performance of the other two team members, Alan Ansell (New Plymouth Boys High) and Tom Levy who is a student at Waikato University. She acknowledges how much support is given to the NZOI to enable New Zealand students to compete internationally “We are grateful for the financial support of our Canterbury and Auckland University sponsors, as well as SoInet and Internet NZ. AUT and ACG have hosted training camps in their labs and their active support is valuable in allowing the students to reach their potential."

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