Mathematics might seem like a monster to many students, but for 16-year-old Denys Prince Tuyisenge, it’s more like a puzzle waiting to be solved. And boy, did he solve it! Tuyisenge just made history by winning Rwanda’s first-ever gold medal at the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) in South Africa, putting the country on the global map in a big way.
Imagine this: out of six brilliant young minds representing Rwanda, Tuyisenge emerged as the golden boy, battling it out at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. His secret? Months of hardcore preparation that would make any gamer’s all-night grind seem like a walk in the park.
In an exclusive chat with KURA, Tuyisenge, a student at Hope Haven Christian School in Kigali, spilled the beans on what it took to achieve such greatness. “With the help of my coaches at AIMS Rwanda and my teachers, I tackled tons of problems to get to the level needed for the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad,” he revealed.
These weren’t just your everyday math problems either. The Olympiad challenges are on a whole other level—think of it like playing a video game on ‘Ultra Nightmare’ mode. Each of the six questions is worth seven points, and Tuyisenge crushed it with 33 out of a possible 42 marks.
But don’t be fooled into thinking it was easy. Even Tuyisenge admits that the journey was tough. “The questions are different from what we learn in class, and being new to math olympiads is challenging. You have to work hard and sometimes stay up late. It’s not easy,” he confessed.
Winning this gold wasn’t just about the medal; it came with some epic perks too. On August 22, 2024, Tuyisenge and his fellow brainiacs were invited to meet President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village. The young math whiz was in awe, describing the experience as “just wonderful.”
Earlier that day, he also met with Minister of Education Gaspard Twagirayezu, who showered the team with praise. Rwanda didn’t just grab gold; they also secured a silver medal, three bronze medals, and several PAMO Girls’ Bronze Medals. Talk about a haul!
Reflecting on his big day, Tuyisenge shared, “Meeting the President and the Minister was something I never imagined. I only ever saw the President in photos and videos. It gave me a boost to work even harder.”
And it’s not just about the medals. Tuyisenge, who also came second in the 2023-2024 O’ Level National Examinations, has some solid advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps: “Work hard and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Sometimes a problem looks impossible, but if you give it time and practice, you can solve it.”
Rwanda’s achievement at PAMO 2024 is nothing short of legendary, according to Arun Shanmuganathan, co-founder of the Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad. He said, “Winning our first gold is huge, especially when you consider that usually only North African countries like Morocco and Tunisia or South Africa get gold medals. For Rwanda to break into that elite group is a massive accomplishment.”
Shanmuganathan, who started the Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad five years ago, knows what it’s like to be in Tuyisenge’s shoes. He won a silver medal for New Zealand back in 2011, which opened doors to top universities like Cambridge and Oxford. His goal? To give Rwandan students the same shot at greatness.
“This victory is big, but it’s also a new challenge,” said Obed Nsanzimfura Korusenge, a lead coach at the Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad. “We can’t bring back anything less than more golds next year.”
So, to all the young dreamers out there, remember Tuyisenge’s story. With enough practice, dedication, and a bit of sleepless nights, you too could be standing where he is today—on top of the world, with a gold medal in hand.
