RI triumph at Int'l Physics Olympiad

RI triumph at Int'l Physics Olympiad

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

The Indonesian team of students won three gold medals, one
silver and one bronze medal at the 33rd International Physics
Olympiad, which ended on Monday in Nusa Dua resort complex.

The three gold medals were awarded to Agustinus Peter
Sahanggamu of state SMU 78 high school in Jakarta (41.20 points),
Widagdo Setiawan of state SMU I high school in Denpasar, Bali
(40.95) and Fajar Ardian of SMU Insan Cendekia high school in
Serpong, Tangerang (36.60). The silver medal went to Christopher
Hendriks of SMU Pelita Harapan in Tangerang and Evelyn Mintarno
of SMU BPK Penabur 1 in Jakarta received the bronze medal.

"I am very proud that the Indonesian students grabbed five
medals. This is the highest achievement which has ever been
accomplished by Indonesia in an international physics competition
so far," confirmed Yohanes Surya, chairman of the Indonesian
team.

The Physics Olympiad, which started on July 22, involved
around 300 high school students from 70 countries including
Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Iceland,
Russia, Slovenia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Iran, Canada, Australia,
People's Republic of China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Korea,
Singapore, Vietnam, Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia.

Triyanta, chairman of the organizing committee, said the
Olympiad comprised two competitions on theory and experiment. The
international jurors combined the total points of both
categories.

"Iran, Russia and China have been strong teams since the last
few years," he admitted.

Ngoc Duong Dang from the war-torn Vietnam surprisingly got the
highest points of 45.40. Iran, however, was shockingly declared
top medal tally, winning five gold medals. The People's Republic
of China came in second place with four gold medals. India,
renowned for its bright students and thriving science education,
received only one gold medal.

Dr. Piyapong Sithikong, team leader from Thailand, expressed
his satisfaction when his team gained one gold medal. "It is our
first gold medal since we first took part in the Physics
Olympiad," said Piyapong, an assistant professor at the
Department of Physics, Mahidol University in Bangkok.

Thailand will host the 4th Asian Physics Olympiad in 2003.