Merton Student Wins Gold in Computer Programming Contest

Last Thursday in Luxor, Egypt, two Oxford teams participated in the World Finals of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). Two finals took place in parallel as the 46th and 47th Finals were rescheduled from 2022 and 2023 due to the pandemic.

The ICPC is the world’s most prestigious competitive programming contest for students, where four gold, four silver and four bronze medals are awarded, and all teams are scored to determine their place in the final rank. 

The Oxford team that took fourth in the 46th World Finals included:

• Radostin Chonev (University College, graduated in 2022)
• Viktor Kozhuharov (Magdalen College, 3rd year CS)
• Harris Leung (Merton College, 3rd year M&CS)

This team solved nine out of eleven problems, earning their position on the final scoreboard and a gold medal. Not only did the team win a gold, but they also found the first correct solution to the problem Y. Mertonian Harris Leung solved the problem just six minutes into the competition, which was the fastest time any problem was solved.

Harris will be going on to compete in the 48th World Finals (2024) in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September.