The Newtons of tomorrow are being nurtured today: For over two decades, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) has welcomed the greatest regional young talents as the host of the Mathematics Olympiad. To mark the conclusion of this year’s Hamburg regional round, around 190 students from grades 3 to 13 gathered in the well-filled Audimax. They had prevailed against a total of 8,500 participants and were awarded in front of teachers, families, and friends.
Behind the award winners lies a long journey. In the so-called school round, participants initially worked on tasks at their schools at the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year, either as homework or as a test. The Olympiad problems go beyond the regular school curriculum and require creative approaches to solutions. Successful students then qualified for the regional round in November. Here, within the framework of an exam, they had to solve four problems covering various mathematical areas ranging from geometry to combinatorics. The best of the regional round finally competed in the state round in February in a two-day exam. The highlight of the Hamburg state round was the ceremonial award ceremony held in the Audimax.
Creative Solutions Rewarded
Host Prof. Dr. Marko Lindner was delighted about the many young talents in the auditorium: “When I was your age, I also participated in the Mathematics Olympiad and was quite sad when I couldn’t continue after the twelfth grade. I am thrilled to see so many math-enthusiastic young faces. I have seen the questions and take my hat off to everyone who succeeded in their respective age groups.”
Further greetings were given by the state commissioners of the Olympiad, Stefan Schmack and Dr. Klaus Henning, as well as Thomas Bressau from the Hamburg School Authority. Together, they presented the winners with their certificates and small gifts. For each grade level, a third, second, and first prize could be awarded – the latter now bear the title of state winners of the 65th Mathematics Olympiad. Multiple placements were also possible. Particularly creative solutions, for example a graphical representation of a mathematical problem, were additionally honored with individual prizes. Schools that produced a particularly high number of awardees were also recognized. Musical accompaniment was provided by 13-year-old guitarist Pablo Miot, who performed classical guitar pieces by Napoléon Coste and Manuel Ponce. Miot is a multiple national winner of the music competition “Jugend musiziert,” which, like the Mathematics Olympiad, is organized in several rounds.
Final Round in Shanghai
The federal round of the Mathematics Olympiad is also the goal for the eleven state winners, including two participants from the seventh grade who are already allowed to compete with the eighth graders. For all of them, the Olympiad continues in June with the federal round. Here, about 200 children and young people from all federal states will tackle mathematical challenges. The six most successful participants will then qualify for the national team – representing Germany in July at the International Mathematics Olympiad in Shanghai.
