On July 18 at a ceremony held in Uzbekistan, the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) gave awards to student competitors from around the world. High school students arrived in Tashkent on July 10 and spent 9 days together studying, exploring the country, meeting fellow competitors, and taking chemistry exams as part of a global chemistry competition.
The team representing the US was announced last month at a banquet. This year’s Team USA consisted of Enzhi Chen, Ethan Cho, Alex Dong, and Liran Zhu. The team was selected after an intensive 2-week study camp at the University of Maryland, College Park, where the four competed with 16 other student finalists.
Members of Team USA visit the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Their International Chemistry Olympiad itinerary included excursions to many cultural and educational sites. Credit:
Courtesy of Margaret Thatcher
The team-building aspect of the IChO experience is often students’ most liked part, and teamwork can be just what is needed when preparing for the final exam. “Personally, I was actually really scared of the exam,” says Cho. After studying with his teammates though, “that’s all I needed to be comfortable for the exam.”
“And we also made friends with many countries, and we might study or work together in the future, and I think that’s the real part of the experience.”
This year’s IChO included participants from 92 countries competing for medals. Two comprehensive examinations—a 5 h laboratory practical and a 5 h written theoretical examination—were used to rank student competitors. This year, IChO awarded a total of 41 gold, 74 silver, and 112 bronze medals. Zhu, Dong, and Cho received gold, and Chen received silver.
“Of course competing at the international level is very stressful. I didn’t know what to expect, traveling halfway around the world and having a 12 h jet lag,” says Zhu. “That was interesting, but, it was amazing to meet everyone from around the world, where everyone loves chemistry.”
At the International Chemistry Olympiad, members of Team USA join students from around the globe in some downtime to solve puzzles and get to know one another. Credit:
Courtesy of Margaret Thatcher
Highlights in the students’ itinerary, beyond the competition, included visiting Tashkent’s botanical garden, zoo, and aquarium, touring the National University of Uzbekistan Faculty of Chemistry, and taking excursions to Chinorkent, the Center for Islamic Civilization, the Tashkent Polytechnic Museum, and the Museum of Timurids History.
“My favorite part of the competition is mostly just being here, participating, and enjoying the immersion in the culture,” says Chen.
And in addition to the culture the students took in during their visit, they learned about so much more from fellow competitors. “We get to chat with many, many people from diverse cultures, learn their culture, their food, their languages,” says Dong. “And we also made friends with many countries, and we might study or work together in the future, and I think that’s the real part of the experience.”
Next year’s IChO will be hosted by Taiwan. Information about this year’s IChO, including results and photos, can be found at www.icho2026.uz. More information about the international competition, including regulations, the foundation, and interest from new countries, can be found at www.ichosc.org.
