London: Aanya Goyal, a 17-year-old student from Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, London, has achieved a significant milestone by winning a silver medal for Team India at the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) held in Veldhoven, Netherlands. This competition, which concluded over the weekend, saw Team India deliver its best performance to date, securing two bronze medals and one honorable mention.
Facing top coders from 50 countries, Goyal demonstrated her problem-solving prowess and innovative approach to overcome a series of complex challenges. The EGOI, aimed at young women interested in computer science, is known for its demanding problem-solving tasks that require quick and efficient coding skills.
“I feel very proud to have won a silver medal for India,” Goyal stated. “Competitive programming is gaining popularity globally, and especially in India. The competition consisted of two five-hour sessions, each with four complex problems involving algorithmic design and coding implementation.”
The competition’s format requires participants to solve problems within stringent time constraints, where code must complete multiple sub-tasks within two to four seconds. This high-pressure environment demands exceptional mathematical skills and creative problem-solving abilities.
Goyal expressed her gratitude towards her team and mentors. “Being part of the best team in the world was a privilege. My teammates and our team leader, Sonia ma’am, are incredible. I dedicate my medal to Team India’s coaching and support staff,” she said.
Mentored by Paras Kasmalkar, an International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) silver medallist, Goyal prepared extensively to tackle the Olympiad’s rigorous demands. She noted that her previous experiences in mathematics and linguistics Olympiads prepared her well for the challenges at EGOI.
Looking ahead, Goyal aims to study mathematics and computer science at university, with a strong desire to use her skills to contribute meaningfully to society. She also expressed a commitment to inspiring more girls to participate in mathematics and computing fields, emphasizing the need for greater female representation in elite competitions.
As a proud Indian residing in the UK, Goyal finds motivation in Bollywood tunes from films like ‘Chak De! India’ and ‘Mary Kom.’ With her silver medal as a testament to her success, she hopes for Team India to excel further at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.
“I believe in dreaming big and aiming high. If you cannot dream big, you cannot win big,” she concluded.
