Bangkok, Thailand – Hong Kong student Samson Chan Cheuk Hei has taken the world by storm, winning not one, but two prestigious awards at the World Mathematics Cup (WMC) Global Final 2024 held in Bangkok. The young prodigy clinched the coveted global champion title and the esteemed World Star award, cementing his place as a rising star in the world of mathematics.
“Winning the World Mathematics Cup as the global champion feels totally crazy!” exclaimed an elated Samson. “I still can’t believe it. I got to be the number one math problem-solver in the whole world – how awesome is that?! I’m so pumped and proud of all the hard work that paid off.” The WMC brought together some of the brightest young minds from across the globe, challenging them with complex mathematical problems. Samson thrived in this competitive environment, describing the experience as “a giant brain-teasing adventure.” He relished the opportunity to meet and interact with other mathematically gifted students.
The World Star award, recognizing the most creative problem-solver, was a particularly significant achievement for Samson. “Winning both the global champion title and the World Star award was just crazy,” he shared. “Winning the whole thing is already insane, but then to also get the award for being the most creative problem-solver was just mind-blowing. I feel so honored and grateful.” He explained that the challenges for this award required him to think outside the box, experimenting with various strategies until he “cracked the code.”
Samson’s mathematical prowess extends to number theory, where he achieved a perfect score, earning him the Arithmetic Virtuoso award. “I love number theory because it’s all about finding cool patterns and secret rules with numbers,” he explained. “It’s like solving a fun little puzzle every time.” He recounted a particularly challenging problem involving determining the number of games in a 128-team tournament, a puzzle he proudly persevered to solve.
When asked about the source of his passion for mathematics, Samson credits the satisfaction of tackling difficult problems and the constant sense of discovery. “The more I’ve learned, the more amazed I am by how complex and awesome math can be,” he said. He encourages other aspiring mathematicians to embrace practice and perseverance. “Math takes a lot of work, but it gets more fun the more you do it,” he advised. “Try lots of different problem-solving tricks, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”
Looking ahead, Samson has his sights set on even more prestigious competitions, including the International Mathematical Olympiad. He dreams of testing his skills against the best young mathematicians worldwide. He envisions a future where he continues to explore the depths of mathematics, potentially pursuing a career as a mathematician or applying his skills in fields like computer programming or data science.
Samson’s journey at the WMC is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and sheer love for mathematics. His story serves as an inspiration to young learners everywhere, demonstrating the power of passion, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. He concluded, “More than anything, I just want to tell everyone how much I love mathematics. It’s such a beautiful, creative subject with so many incredible things left to discover. I hope I can inspire other kids to get excited about their inner math genius too!”
