China’s INSO Debut Ends With Medals for All Four Students

China’s first appearance at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad produced a clean sweep of individual medals. At the third INSO in Jeddah, the four-member Chinese team won one gold and three silvers, and Chinese reports said its overall result ranked among the leading participating countries. No exact numerical country ranking was disclosed.

China’s medal results

The gold medal went to Liu Siqi of Beijing No. 80 High School’s Wangjing Campus. Wang Yuanfu of Beijing No. 11 School, Sun Rongze of Beijing No. 8 High School and Zhang Yuxuan of Beijing No. 101 High School each won silver.

That meant all four Chinese students returned with medals in the country’s debut. Saudi Arabia topped the overall medal table, according to regional coverage, while China was reported more generally as one of the leading participating countries rather than assigned a specific published place.

An eight-day competition in Jeddah

INSO 2026 ran from August 2 to 9, 2026, concluding in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The third edition brought together participants connected with 19 countries; reports described the gathering as involving about 120 students, scientific specialists and other representatives.

King Abdulaziz University hosted the competition. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy were among the event’s organizing partners.

What students studied and how they were tested

The Olympiad combined theoretical and experimental examinations. The reported subject areas included:

• Nuclear physics
• Radiation protection
• Nuclear fuel
• Related areas of nuclear science

The format therefore assessed both subject knowledge and practical scientific ability. Coverage from the opening of the competition also described a five-hour practical examination for participating high school students.

Organizers and students emphasize scientific exchange

Organizing-committee representative Talal Alrashidi welcomed China’s entry and praised the students’ performance and the positive spirit they showed during the competition. Liu Siqi said that competing with talented students from around the world strengthened his determination to continue studying and pursue higher scientific goals.

The event’s international format is central to INSO’s purpose: students meet peers from other countries while developing knowledge and skills in nuclear science. The 2026 edition was held under the theme “Bright Minds, A Promising Future.”

China plans to broaden nuclear-science education

Wang Peng, head of the Chinese delegation, said China would continue expanding nuclear-science education and guide more young people to “learn about, understand, and take part in” the nuclear field.

The debut gives that effort a prominent international result to build on. It also provides a clear example of the pathway China is promoting: identify interested high school students, prepare them in nuclear-science subjects and give them opportunities to compete and collaborate internationally. Reports said China’s team was selected through the “Voice of Xia He” INSO high school activity, with the program approved by China’s National Atomic Energy Agency and organized by China Atomic Energy Press with support from Tsinghua University’s nuclear-science discipline.

What INSO is—and why it matters

The International Nuclear Science Olympiad was launched in 2024 with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Chinese reporting describes it as the world’s first international youth Olympiad focused specifically on nuclear science. Its stated goals are to spark young people’s interest in the subject, promote international exchange and encourage more students to pursue nuclear science and nuclear technology.

China’s first INSO appearance therefore matters beyond the medal count. The one-gold, three-silver result shows immediate competitive strength, while the delegation’s education plans point to a longer-term goal: making nuclear science more familiar and accessible to the next generation.