Inside the First Math Olympiad at ASB

When it comes to mathematics, most of us immediately think of countless formulas, figures, variables, and other complicated concepts we remember from school. However, is it the same with a Math Olympiad? To answer this question, we first need to understand what a Mathematics Olympiad actually is. It is a very specific problem-solving competition that differs significantly from regular exams.

The first Math Olympiad at the American High School of Bulgaria (ASB) took place on the 7th of April, 2026. The competitors were students from grades 9 to 11, and within three hours, they had to solve 15 questions. The problems covered different areas, including algebra, geometry, combinatorics, number theory, and logic. Olympiad-style questions have their own tricks and features— they cannot be solved by relying only on curriculum knowledge. Instead, they require logical thinking and insight rather than simple calculation. Therefore, students had to demonstrate their reasoning and ideas while working under time pressure.

The Olympiad Winners

After three hours of intense work, the Olympiad Committee announced its medalists. The third  place was awarded to Yanimir Iliev. The second place was shared between Alisa Tkachenko and Matvii Berdnyk, who achieved equal scores. The first place went to Yuriy Tsvetkov, who was far ahead in the final score.

We would like to thank all participants for their effort and courage to take part in such a challenging competition as the Math Olympiad!

Thanks to Mr. Ramazan Yozgyur

The Olympiad was an initiative of our mathematics teacher, Mr. Ramazan Yozgyur, and we asked his opinion about the Olympiad:

“Mathematics Olympiads generally do not depend strictly on the standard curriculum. As a math teacher, my goal in this Olympiad was to observe students’ ability to think deeply about a problem, to persist even when they had not previously studied the topic, and to explore different approaches to finding a solution.

The questions were mainly based on logic, number theory, and combinatorics. These areas allow students to engage with problems through reasoning and creativity, even without prior formal knowledge. They are especially suitable for Olympiad settings because they do not require extensive definitions or memorized content.

The final results were not the main focus. Instead, I aimed to see how students approached the problems and how they developed their thinking. In the end, I observed several insightful and creative approaches from different students, which helped me better understand their problem-solving processes.

I believe that mathematics Olympiads are an excellent way to encourage students to think independently and tackle unfamiliar problems. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to organize this Olympiad event and to observe the students’ approaches.”

Congratulations to all of the winners and participants!

Math Olympiads show that mathematics is not only about memorizing formulas, but about thinking creatively and logically. They challenge students to go beyond standard methods and develop important problem-solving skills that are useful in all areas of life.

This Olympiad's winners will be awarded certificates at the Grand Graduation Gala at the end of June. Please inquire with AHSB@AmericanSchoolOfBulgaria.com  about how to get your tickets. 

ASB aims to hold this excellent initiative yearly, and we hope that in upcoming years, we will begin to invite other schools, locally, then regionally, and one day, internationally.