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Math whizz winner at International Maths Olympiad third year in a row

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Adri Wessels won joint first place at the 2019 UCT Mathematics Competition, earlier this year. Wessels (right) stands proudly alongside Mr Etienne Pienaar (left), maths teacher at Curro Durbanville.
Adri Wessels won joint first place at the 2019 UCT Mathematics Competition, earlier this year. Wessels (right) stands proudly alongside Mr Etienne Pienaar (left), maths teacher at Curro Durbanville.

Adri Wessels, Grade 12 learner at Curro Durbanville, was awarded a bronze medal at the 2019 International Maths Olympiad (IMO) in Bath, England.

This is the third consecutive year that Adri has been selected to represent South Africa at the IMO. His team performed exceptionally, being awarded four bronze medals, receiving two honourable mentions, and ranking 46 out of 112 countries - the best performance in a decade.


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Earlier this year, the matriculant won joint first place in the 2019 UCT Mathematics Competition.

There were over 7 500 participants from 400 schools that took part in the competition, making his achievement an extraordinary feat. He was also awarded the Lesley Reeler trophy for his overall performance over five consecutive years of participation in the UCT Mathematics Competition. 

The math whizz has been participating in mathematics competitions since primary school and his father, Driaan Wessels, says his son’s aptitude for mathematics was clear from an early age.

"This mathematical talent is Adri’s own unique ability, and through his own hard work he continues to cultivate and grow that talent. We are very proud," says Driaan. 

Adri has already been by the University of Stellenbosch for 2020, where he plans to study abstract mathematics and theoretical physics. He is also considering doing part of his tertiary education at an international university.

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