Mali Jongman-Rios

The International Physics Olympiad is the World Championship Competition for college students that is held in a different country each year. The first IPhO was held in Poland in 1967 and this year it took place in Tokyo, Japan. Over the years, the competition has expanded to include participants from over 80 countries from five continents. 

Over the course of Mali’s week-long excursion to Tokyo, she was tasked with completing two exams, which consisted of five-hour papers on experimental and physics theory. Throughout this process, Mali would be contained in a small, office-styled cubicle, which she commented was quite the experience.

Aside from completing exams in the National Youth Olympics Center in Tokyo, Mali had the opportunity to explore Japan and some of the fantastic cultural activities that it has to offer. From drinking tea (Sado), partaking in Japanese calligraphy (Shodo), learning the art of Aikido and even visiting a Japanese-style festival, where her group did a traditional dance to the YMCA, Mali certainly kept herself busy!

Mali also took part in four excursions in Tokyo and around the Kanto region. During her half-day excursion in Tokyo, she visited Yokohama, the Skytree and the famous Shibuya crossing. Her group would also visit Kamakura, where they visited a temple, saw a giant Buddha, and drank matcha in a bamboo forest.

After a long coach journey but well worth it visit to Hakone, Mali went on a pirate ship ride where she had a view of the torii gates on Lake Ashino, and on the way back was able to get a view of Mount Fuji too!

By the end of the competition, the UK team managed to walk away with a full batch of five medals, including three silver and two bronze, one of which now belongs to Mali. We want to congratulate the entire team on their success and Mali for representing the UK and the College and her fantastic accomplishments.