Our Female Mathematicians Among the World’s Best

Australian girls are punching above their weight in international maths competition with the Australian team placing third in the world at the prestigious 2025 European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) held from 11-17 April 2025 in Pristina, Kosovo.

Third out of 56 participating countries is an achievement and the team achieved three Gold Medals, and one Silver, our highest placed student, Amber Li, ranked an incredible 4th overall out of 219 competitors.

“Our four female students are to be congratulated for their great success at this year’s EGMO. These girls put in a very strong effort placing,” said Mike Clapper, CEO of the Australian Maths Trust (AMT).

The 2025 competition was the eighth year that Australia participated in EGMO. In similar style to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), two papers were taken on consecutive days. Participating countries send teams consisting of four female mathematicians of school age.

The team members and their achievements are:

• Amber Li, Pymble Ladies’ College, NSW – Year 11, Gold Medal (individual rank: 4)
• Laura Nan, Fintona Girls’ School, VIC – Year 12, Gold Medal (individual rank: 14)
• Olivia Sun, Lauriston Girls’ School, VIC – Year 10, Gold Medal (individual rank: 21)
• Zihui Zhang, Clayfield College, QLD – Year 12, Silver Medal (individual rank: 42)

The 2025 EGMO team was supported by their Team Leader, Michelle Chen, herself a former IMO medallist, and Deputy Leader Elizabeth Yevdokimov.

AMT’s 2025 EGMO initiative is supported by the Australian Government Department of
Industry, Science and Resources through the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Programme. It is also supported by the Trust’s National Sponsor of the Australian Informatics and Mathematical Olympiad Programs, Optiver.

Image by Ferdi Noberda