Turkish Students Shine at Japan Math Finals, Clinching Gold and Silver

Turkish students have once again demonstrated their prowess in mathematics on the international stage, securing top honors at the World Mathematics Invitational (WMI) final held in Japan. Atlas Haser, a 7th-grade student from a private school, clinched his fourth gold medal at the WMI, a testament to his consistent dedication to mathematical challenges.

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I don't prepare specifically for WMI. Because preparations for other competitions and TÜBİTAK, meaning olympiad preparations, already support WMI.

Haser, who also participates in various other competitions and olympiads, learned about the WMI through the Kanguru Mathematics competition. He described the WMI exam as consisting of 15 multiple-choice and 10 open-ended questions. "I don't prepare specifically for WMI. Because preparations for other competitions and TÜBİTAK, meaning olympiad preparations, already support WMI," Haser explained, highlighting how his broader engagement with math contests bolsters his performance.

Inspired by Barış Koyuncu, a former student who won four medals from the International Mathematical Olympiad and now studies at Oxford, Haser's immediate goal is to achieve success in the TÜBİTAK competitions. He has already passed the first stage and is preparing for the next, aiming to make the national team or win a medal. He is also preparing for high school entrance exams, targeting a perfect score or a very high result.

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My first goal is to achieve success in TÜBİTAK. I passed the first stage. There will be a second stage, then team selection. My goal is to win a medal or join the team.

Mehmet Aras Başçiftçi, a 10th-grade student from a science high school in Eskişehir, earned a silver medal at the WMI 2026 World Final. He emphasized the importance of practicing past exam questions and the support he received from his school's math teachers for olympiad-level topics. Başçiftçi noted that his interest in mathematics significantly grew in middle school, and he has been working diligently to improve, with his teachers helping him overcome any deficiencies. "I prepared for the competition in the best way possible," he stated.

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I prepared for the competition in the best way possible.