S'pore students win record haul at international history contest

Eight students from Singapore pitted their wits against more than 400 students from around the world in a history contest in Paris, and brought home a record medal haul.

- Daniel Lai

The students, who came from a host of schools in Singapore, were competing in the International History Olympiad.

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student Luke Ng beat 134 students to emerge champion in the junior varsity division, winning 12 gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals for Singapore.

Speaking to The Straits Times after his return to Singapore, Luke, 17, said: "I am glad we were able to make Singapore proud through our victories."

Luke and his ACS (I) schoolmate Christian See, 16, also clinched gold in a team event for Singapore at a history contest for junior varsity participants.

Singapore participants competed in four divisions — junior varsity for those in grades nine to 10, middle school for those in grades seven to eight, intermediate for those in grades five to six, and elementary school for those in grades two to four.

All in, a total of 432 participants formed 61 teams that came from 24 countries, three regions and 34 US states.