Breaking Gravity
Where Effort Meets Opportunity
on My Road to the Olympiads.
Bronze Medal
International Olympiad on
Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)
Poland, International Level, 2023
I first learned about the IOAA in the summer before 10th grade from a senior, and early that year I reached out to an alumnus from 2022 for study materials. When I received the acceptance result in June 2023, I was thrilled that my goal had been achieved.
The training was far from easy. Astronomy was completely different from Physics, and many nights I stayed up until four or five in the morning observing stars, exhausted but determined. In the end, my efforts were rewarded with a Bronze Medal.
It was also my first time traveling abroad, spending almost a full day in the air, watching stars through the plane window, exploring a new culture, and performing at the delegation dinner. We spent a day in Warsaw, admiring its beautiful churches and peaceful scenery, a journey of both learning and discovery.
Silver Prize
Vietnamese Physics Olympiad 2024 (VPhO)
Vietnam, National Level, 2024
Although I had prepared carefully, the National Olympiad still brought unexpected challenges, and my result wasn’t the best. Yet, it opened the door to future competitions.
Training with the 19 other team members was incredibly rewarding under our teachers’ guidance. I also met QA, a senior I deeply admire, she made studying Physics feel less dry. Always ready to help and chat, she even took me out for pastries at Vincom, small but cherished memories, especially since I had no one to share such moments with in my final year.
Gold Medal
Nordic-Baltic Physics Olympiad (NBPhO)
Tallinn, Estonia, International Level, 2024
Continuing my journey, I trained at the Nano and Physics Departments of HNUE, reuniting with my teammates. It was my first time working with real lab instruments, from black boxes of circuits to experiments on refraction, density, and specific heat. Under the patient guidance of my mentors, I learned to collect precise data, analyze results, and expand my scientific understanding.
The journey also took me through the freezing port of Helsinki to Tallinn, an unforgettable memory. After two intense days of competition, we wandered around Tallinn’s old town, sipped tea, tried local dishes, and even tasted bear meat.
I also met Mr. Jaan Kalda, a legend in the Olympiad community, and made friends with many international students like Saskia from Estonia. Each moment at NBPhO was not just a test of knowledge, but a bridge to culture, friendship, and growth.
Bronze Medal
European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO),
Georgia, International Level, 2024
I applied in April, while still training with the NBPhO team. The selection process this year was unlike any before, with so many outstanding students from specialized schools across the country — from Bac Ninh, Nghe An, to Thai Binh. I honestly didn’t think I would make it, until the day my homeroom teacher called with the news. The joy was overwhelming, and I set my goal on earning the highest medal possible.
During the preparation, I met many new friends from across Vietnam: Vinh from Bac Ninh with his quirky personality; Triet from Nghe An, whom I teasingly call “the gentleman from Vinh” for his witty charm; and Duy and Hai from the South, always cheerful with their distinctive accents. Though we didn’t stay in dorms, studying together was both fun and meaningful — everyone was focused, hardworking, and supportive.
Later, we flew to Georgia for the competition. This year’s EuPhO was special, as the number of participating countries had nearly doubled, with several teams joining for the first time due to political reasons that kept them from IPhO. Despite the intense challenges and fierce competition, I met old friends from previous contests and made many new ones — including my Turkish roommate, with whom I had endless conversations. I also met new teams from the U.S., Canada, and Japan, but was especially impressed by the Romanian team — truly remarkable students who left a lasting impression.
Gold Prize
Vietnamese Physics Olympiad (VPhO),
Vietnam, National Level, 2025
After returning from Eupho, I thought my Olympiad journey had probably ended. That summer, I shifted my focus to English, but after two competitions, I realized I still wanted to challenge myself with Physics, partly thanks to my teachers’ encouragement, and partly because I missed that sense of pursuit.
I decided to take a gap year to prepare more thoroughly. After two months of intense study, I took the 2025 VPhO and felt quite confident, though I wasn’t sure about the result. Two weeks later, while dealing with some health issues, I was stunned to see my name on the list: 8th nationwide and the highest scorer in my city.Once again, the path unfolded before me, reminding me that persistence and genuine passion for science always find their reward.
Bronze Medal
Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO),
Saudi Arabia, International Level, 2025
With only half a year to prepare, I wasn’t very confident, but I tried my best not to let down the people who believed in me. Those long days filled with experiments, online lessons, and endless formulas felt endless — yet now, they seem to have passed in a heartbeat.
In late March, I took the national selection exam. Because of a small mistake (confusing the radius with the diameter) and a few topics I hadn’t revised in time, I felt regretful. But luck smiled upon me: I was selected for the national team.
The training that followed was intense. Everyone around me was among the brightest students in the country. I met Triet and Vinh again, my friends from Eupho, and new faces like Quan from Nghe An, whose problem-solving speed amazed me, and two friendly teammates from Hue.
When we arrived in Saudi Arabia, I was surprised by how warm and welcoming the country was. I shared a room with a Mongolian student who told me fascinating stories about his homeland. The organizers were thoughtful — we went to the beach, played escape rooms, and made friends from around the world. There were no boundaries between us.
I still remember the sweet pastries and orange juice after the tests, the cheerful clapping that became our “tradition,” and even the reused scrap papers printed with last year’s IChO logo. The experimental test was extremely tough — the oscilloscope was so sensitive — but that was when I felt truly alive in physics: trying, failing, learning, and understanding how the world works.
Parts of my journey on the interview:
Not every competition ends in success.
At my final one, the IPhO, I wasn’t among the top five in the country. I felt disappointed at first, but over time I realized it was okay. Physics is a long journey, and the Olympiad is only one chapter of it — a stepping stone that let me see the world, meet passionate people, and learn from them.
I am grateful to my parents, teachers, mentors, and friends who supported me through every step. There were times I wanted to give up, when exhaustion and doubt took over, but somehow I always found the courage to keep going.
Physics has shaped who I am. It taught me perseverance, connection, and self-discovery. I believe that when you devote yourself wholeheartedly to something, you’ll eventually reach where you’re meant to be. Whether the outcome is bitter or sweet, it will always be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one worth having.
And now, here are some of my most memorable Olympiad moments.
I hope that through these stories, you may see a part of yourself, or find a spark of motivation to help you overcome your own challenges.