Young Morningside programmer triumphs with a bronze medal win at the South African Programming Olympiad finals

With determination and a passion for problem-solving, Grade 11 learner Yian Xu has made waves at the South African Programming Olympiad finals, securing a bronze medal and placing 5th out of 1 010 participants from 122 schools.

Yian’s achievement stands as a remarkable testament to her coding abilities and unwavering dedication, making her one of the brightest young talents in programming.

The Olympiad, held in Menlo Park, Pretoria, featured some of the brightest young minds in programming from across the country.

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Finalists were required to solve two challenging papers over five hours each, with tasks that demanded intense focus and critical thinking.

The event’s real-time feedback system from the SACO contest server kept participants on their toes as they competed for a spot in the national team.

Reflecting on her success, Yian said, “I was elated. This was a moment that could have come out of a dream for me, and I felt a sense of pride knowing that my perseverance and passion had brought me to this achievement.”

Yian’s programming journey began in Grade 8 at Redhill School, with her first participation in the Olympiad in Grade 9.

Initially driven by curiosity, it was her friends who ultimately encouraged her to pursue competitive programming.

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“I was soon pulled down this rabbit hole by the questions I encountered which seemed impossible to me at the time, but which I craved the solutions to,” she explained.

Preparing for the Olympiad finals required dedication and discipline.

Yian described her preparation as a balance between learning algorithms and developing her critical thinking skills.

“During the month leading up to the Olympiad, I would spend hours coding each day, at home and during school breaks. Five hours might sound long, but during the contest, it truly felt like a race against time.”

Yian’s journey continues as she prepares to represent South Africa on the international stage for the second consecutive year, though she remains cautious about her prospects.

“It is too early to say whether I will be representing South Africa in Bolivia next year. The 2025 national team selection is a complicated process that is yet to happen.”

Nevertheless, Yian’s determination to encourage more women to join the field of programming remains strong.

“Being the second girl to represent South Africa in its history, I want to take this opportunity to encourage other women to participate and compete in programming.”

The Olympiad experience is not just about coding for Yian, it is also about the community and the memorable moments she has shared with fellow competitors.

One such moment involved her friends climbing a wall at the Olympiad venue, a lesson in how competing in the final round of the programming Olympiad does not imply that one is smart enough to have common sense or a sense of self-preservation.

When it comes to problem-solving, Yian’s favourite aspect is the satisfaction that comes from finding solutions.

“The sense of accomplishment that comes with solving a problem after working on it for multiple hours is what drives me on whenever I consider giving up.”

Her approach often involves observing patterns, making conjectures, and testing her theories through code.

Yian credits her IT teacher, Dr Vanitha Rajamany, as her biggest inspiration, guiding her through the highs and lows of her journey.

“She has influenced my approach to problem-solving by teaching me that creativity and inspiration should exist alongside discipline.”

Beyond programming, Yian balances her studies and hobbies, including mathematics, music, debating, art, and tennis.

“If I overwork myself, I burn out. If I procrastinate, nothing gets done. When you find the middle ground, you naturally end up with more time to allocate to everything,” she said, adding with a smile that sleeping is probably her favourite pastime.

Looking to the future, Yian’s aspirations are centred on mathematics rather than a career in technology. “I hope to study mathematics in university, and I am not sure where I will go after that. If there’s anything I do hope to achieve, I suppose getting my Codeforces ranking out of ‘noobie’ might be a good start.”

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