China Wins Gold, 3 Silvers in Nuclear Science Olympiad Debut
China’s national team secured one gold and three silver medals at the third International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the country’s debut at the competition. The four-member team, all high school students from Beijing, ranked among the top participating nations in the eight-day event that concluded on August 8, according to Xinhua News.
A Historic First Appearance
The competition, held from August 2 to 9 at King Abdulaziz University, brought together 120 students and scientific experts from 19 countries under the theme “Radiating Minds, Fusing Futures.” This marked the first time the INSO was held in the Middle East, as reported by Ajel English.
The Chinese team consisted of four students, each earning a medal. Liu Siqi from Beijing No. 80 High School’s Wangjing Campus captured the gold, while Wang Yuanfu from Beijing No. 11 School, Sun Rongze from Beijing No. 8 High School, and Zhang Yuxuan from Beijing No. 101 High School each secured silver medals.
Strong Performance on the Global Stage
The eight-day competition featured theoretical and experimental examinations covering nuclear physics, radiation protection, nuclear fuel, and other scientific disciplines. Organizing committee representative Talal Alrashidi welcomed China’s participation, noting that the students “delivered an outstanding performance and demonstrated the positive spirit of Chinese youth,” according to China Economic Net.
Gold medalist Liu Siqi expressed her enthusiasm after the competition, saying that “competing with outstanding young people worldwide has strengthened my determination to study hard and scale new heights in science.”
Wang Peng, head of the Chinese delegation and deputy chief economist of the China Institute of Nuclear Industry Strategy, emphasized China’s commitment to nuclear science education. “We will continue to strengthen the popularization of nuclear science and encourage more outstanding young people to learn about, understand and participate in the nuclear field,” he said.
The International Nuclear Science Olympiad
Established in 2024 under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the INSO is the world’s first youth Olympiad dedicated to nuclear science. It is modeled after other international science competitions such as the International Physics Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad, but focuses specifically on nuclear science and its peaceful applications, according to the official INSO 2026 website.
The competition aims to stimulate young people’s interest in nuclear science, promote international exchanges, encourage students to specialize in the field, and inspire innovative solutions for peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
Saudi Arabia topped the medal table at this year’s event, with Saudi student Amjad Mahmoud Issa Al-Darwish winning first place overall and the “Nuclear Science Ambassador” title. A total of eight gold, thirteen silver, and eighteen bronze medals were awarded, along with several special prizes.
Broader Regional Success
Pakistan also delivered a strong performance, winning one gold and two silver medals at the competition. The Pakistani team was selected and trained by the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, as The Truth International reported. Pakistan was also announced as the host of the fourth INSO in 2027.
Significance for China
China’s successful debut at the INSO reflects the country’s growing emphasis on nuclear science education and international academic engagement. All four team members winning medals demonstrates the strength of China’s secondary education in this specialized field.
The delegation was led by Wang Peng, who also serves as president of the China Atomic Energy Press, indicating institutional support from China’s nuclear industry for educational initiatives. The participation aligns with broader efforts to cultivate young talent in nuclear science and technology, fields that IAEA officials have highlighted as promising career paths including nuclear engineering, medical physics, radiopharmaceuticals, and radiation oncology.
Looking Ahead
With Pakistan set to host INSO 2027, the competition continues to expand its global reach. The IAEA has encouraged future host countries to broaden participation beyond the Asia-Pacific region, and this year’s Middle East edition demonstrated the growing international appeal of nuclear science education.
For China, the strong debut establishes a foundation for future participation in the competition and signals the country’s commitment to developing the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.