14 July,2026 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar
Shresth Suraiya (fourth from right) poses with the Indian team after winning gold at the 56th International Physics Olympiad in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Representing India, Mumbai student Shresth Suraiya won a gold medal at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, as the Indian team secured a joint first rank among 381 participants from 87 countries. India shared the top position with teams from Russia, South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, and Taiwan.
Suraiya received the medal alongside teammates Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg and Svarit Joshi at the competition held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, on July 12.
Academics came naturally to Shresth, but his parents realised early on that the school curriculum alone would not satisfy his curiosity. They encouraged him to participate in mathematics and science Olympiads and enrol in study camps to nurture his interest.
Mumbai's Shresth Suraiya, who won a gold medal at the 56th International Physics Olympiad as India finished joint first among 87 participating countries. Pic/By Special Arrangement
His mother, Meeta Suraiya, recalled how dedicated he remained even during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When COVID-19 hit, Shresth was in Std VII. He would still make it a point to attend online Std X lectures along with his elder brother," she said.
According to Meeta, one of the defining moments in Shresth's academic journey came during a study camp at the Homi Bhabha Institute, where he met students who shared his passion for mathematics.
"It was there that he met many students who were just like him, determined to immerse themselves in mathematics. That's when he decided he wanted to study hard and make the country proud," she told mid-day.
The months leading up to the Olympiad were particularly demanding, with Shresth preparing simultaneously for his Std XII board examinations, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the international competition. Despite the packed schedule, he secured an All India Rank (AIR) 58 in JEE while continuing his Olympiad preparations.
His parents, Rakesh and Meeta Suraiya, said Shresth never let academics overshadow his other interests. "Whether it was singing Dhrupad [Hindustani classical] music or playing table tennis, he pursued both purely out of passion," they said.
