10-year-old Talha, inspired by Aziz Sancar, wins two golds in Berlin

Ten-year-old Talha Oğuz from Kayseri won two gold medals at the International Einstein Olympiad in Berlin, taking first place worldwide in science and third place worldwide in mathematics among students from 40 countries. Talha, whose talent was discovered by his kindergarten teacher, dreams of contributing to science like Aziz Sancar.

Talha Oğuz, a fifth-grade student at Şehit Cennet Yiğit Anatolian Imam Hatip Middle School in Melikgazi district of Kayseri, took first place worldwide in science and third place worldwide in mathematics at the grand final of the International Einstein Olympiad, held in Berlin, the capital of Germany, from October 26 to 30. The competition awarded gold medals to the top three contestants, making 10-year-old Talha the winner of two gold medals.

The Kayseri Provincial Directorate of National Education announced that Talha was the only student in the world to win two gold medals in a single competition at the 2026 Einstein Olympiad Grand Final. Talha also qualified for the world finals in Vietnam after his success at the Fermat Mathematics Olympiad (FMO).

Talha Oğuz, Einstein Olimpiyatları'nda kazandığı iki altın madalyayla

Kindergarten teacher discovered his talent

Talha's talent for mathematics and brain games was first noticed by his kindergarten teacher, Dilek Kumral. He took up chess on his teacher's advice and developed his skills by following international intelligence and mathematics competitions online. Talha learned to read and write in just the second week of first grade and could already solve second-grade mathematics problems with ease at the time. He also won medals in several local competitions in Kayseri.

English teacher Hakan Yeşilyurt, who accompanied Talha at the final in Berlin, said that only students from 40 countries reached the grand final of the event, whose preliminary rounds attracted 70,000 students from approximately 70 countries. Yeşilyurt said Talha was the only finalist representing state schools and Imam Hatip schools, adding, "Because we came from a state school, our rivals initially saw us as the weak link."

“Great achievements require sacrifice”

Talha said he had been studying the Olympiad curriculum under the guidance of his teachers for a long time. "Flying our flag in Berlin and having our National Anthem performed will be a moment I will never forget throughout my life. I was a little nervous at first because the best students from around the world had come. But once I focused on the questions, my excitement gave way to the determination to work," he said.

Talha said he devoted some of the time he would have spent playing and resting to studying, adding, "When you work in a planned way, you can make time for everything. Great achievements cannot be attained without sacrifice." Talha said his greatest dream was to contribute to the world of science like Albert Einstein and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Aziz Sancar.

Talha Oğuz, Türkiye'ye dönüşünde ailesi ve yakınları tarafından Türk bayraklarıyla karşılandı

Talha was welcomed back to Türkiye by his family and relatives carrying Turkish flags. He thanked his teachers, school administrators and family members for their contributions to his success. Addressing his peers preparing for the Olympiads, Talha said, "They should never give up. They should believe in themselves and work harder instead of quitting when they face difficulties."

Photos: DHA, Kayseri Provincial Directorate of National Education

10-year-old Talha, inspired by Aziz Sancar, wins two golds in Berlin