Saudi Students Shine in Greece with Two Golds, Bronze at Balkan Olympiad
Saudi Arabia’s national mathematics team has achieved a historic milestone by capturing two gold medals and one bronze at the 43rd Balkan Mathematical Olympiad (BMO) 2026. This victory in Thessaloniki, Greece, further cements the Kingdom’s rising status in global scientific and mathematical disciplines.
The competition, held from 3 to 8 May, featured 148 elite students from 24 different nations. Despite the high level of competition, Saudi students delivered standout performances on the international stage.
Abdulilah Mohammed Al-Saqqaf, representing Jeddah, and Abdulsalam Abdullah Al-Sulami, from Madinah, both secured gold medals for the Kingdom. Additionally, Elias Shaker Al-Faraj of the Eastern Region Education Department earned a bronze medal.
This latest success increases Saudi Arabia’s total BMO tally to 68 awards since its debut in 2010. Consequently, the Kingdom’s historic record now includes four gold, 14 silver, and 46 bronze medals, alongside four certificates of appreciation.
A Culture of Excellence and Innovation
The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, organizes these participations in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This partnership prepares students through rigorous national competitions and intensive training camps.
Specialists from both Saudi Arabia and abroad supervise these programs to ensure students reach their full potential. Furthermore, these efforts align with the Kingdom’s broader national development goals to lead in science, technology, and innovation.
While the BMO began in Athens in 1984, the Kingdom has rapidly become a dominant force in the event. Following last year’s competition in Sarajevo, this latest triumph reflects the continuous growth of the Mawhiba program.
