A young schoolboy from Scotland has emerged victorious in a highly respected international maths competition, surpassing thousands of children from around the world. Alden Ashly, aged 11, a pupil at Dalry Primary School in Edinburgh, was declared one of the 11 champions in The British Youth International Colleges (BYITC) International Maths Olympiad Challenge. Going up against contestants globally, Alden clinched the Level 8 award by accurately solving 50 mathematical problems within just nine minutes. This impressive feat marks his fourth consecutive win in the competition, much to the pride of his parents and teachers.
Alden was one of only two winners from Scotland, with the other winner hailing from Glasgow. The event coincided with National Maths Week Scotland and celebrated the sixth edition of the innovative Olympiad, which is exclusively for BYITC Supermaths students worldwide. The challenge is structured around BYITC’s pioneering Abacus Maths programme, where participants are tasked with answering 50 questions, with scores based on both accuracy and speed. Contestants applied various techniques such as finger counting, Abacus methods, and mental calculations. The top performers at each of the ten training levels received certificates and prizes for their exceptional arithmetic abilities.
Arun Ashly, Alden’s father, expressed his delight at his son’s remarkable achievement, recalling how Alden first got interested in Abacus maths at the age of seven after observing his older brother, Rishon, practising it. Arun praised the BYITC programme, highlighting the positive impact it has had on Alden’s problem-solving skills and his newfound perspective on maths as a stimulating series of puzzles. Alden’s dedication to the subject was evident, as he often opts for problem-solving activities over digital entertainment like playing Xbox. Arun mentioned Alden’s preference for real games like basketball or chess, with daily Abacus classes and engaging homework further fuelling Alden’s enthusiasm for mathematics.
Reflecting on his achievement, Alden shared his pride in securing his fourth consecutive win, stating, “I’m really proud since this is my fourth time competing and my fourth time winning.” Alden’s elder brother, Rishon, has already completed all levels of the Olympiad, motivating Alden to aspire to match his sibling’s success. Looking ahead to future competitions, Alden is eager to take on new mathematical challenges and continue his winning streak.
As Alden celebrates his victory and looks forward to more opportunities in the world of mathematics, his accomplishment serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring young mathematicians everywhere.