Cyprus Shines at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad — With The English School at the Forefront

The 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held this year with the participation of 630 of the world’s brightest young mathematicians from 110 countries, once again showcased extraordinary talent — and a stark global gender gap. Among the contestants, only 69 were girls. Yet Cyprus stood out as a beacon of progress, being one of only three countries whose team featured equal representation of girls and boys.

Cyprus has proudly participated in the IMO for 41 consecutive years, earning a total of eight silver medals — three of which were awarded to the same exceptional student, Ara Mahdessian. This year, Ara achieved an astounding 33 points, marking the highest score ever recorded by a Cypriot participant, falling just two points short of the gold medal threshold. His 2023 score of 26 points remains the second-highest in Cyprus’s IMO history, a feat matched only once before.

Another standout this year was Philippos Rouvas, who earned 23 points, securing the fifth-highest score ever achieved by a Cypriot contestant.

Notably, three out of the six students representing Cyprus in 2025 came from The English School, Nicosia, reflecting the school’s enduring commitment to nurturing mathematical excellence and academic ambition.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the students, mentors, and educators who contributed to these outstanding results. Their dedication not only raises the bar for mathematical achievement in Cyprus but also reflects a positive shift towards greater inclusivity and gender balance in competitive mathematics.