This Year′s Jarník Competition Dominated by Contestants from Poland, Germany, and Austria
The top performers of the 33rd Vojtěch Jarník International Mathematical Competition have been announced. In the younger category, first place was shared by Fedir Fedorov from the Technical University of Berlin and Jan Strehn from the University of Vienna, while the older category was once again dominated by Łukasz Orski from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, marking his third consecutive victory.
The Vojtěch Jarník International Mathematical Competition has concluded for this year. Thanks to the support of Wincent, the Faculty of Science at the University of Ostrava hosted top mathematical talent from the Czech Republic and abroad for the 33rd time. This year, a total of 91 participants from 12 countries competed across both categories.
“Deciding the results was, as always, not easy for the jury, and they had to consider numerous remarks from the participants. But they handled it professionally, and after tallying all the points and addressing the feedback, we awarded two first-place prizes and one third-place prize in the younger category. The results in the older category followed the standard format,” says Dr. Lukáš Mocek from the Department of Mathematics at the Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, the main organizer of the competition.
In the younger category, first place was shared by Fedir Fedorov (Technical University of Berlin) and Jan Strehn (University of Vienna). In the older category, Łukasz Orski (Jagiellonian University in Kraków) once again took the top spot, achieving a perfect score.
“Looking at the problems in both categories, this year felt like the toughest of the three editions I′ve experienced. But that′s actually a good thing, because solving the problems is a learning experience, and if it doesn′t go as expected, there′s no reason to blame yourself. This was my last year in the competition, as next year I′ll be too old to participate, and I′ve decided to leave academia. I want to start a regular job and try something new, though still connected to mathematics,” smiles three-time winner Łukasz Orski.
The Faculty of Science at the University of Ostrava plans to continue the tradition next year. The 34th Vojtěch Jarník International Mathematical Competition is scheduled for April 14, 2027.
“Jarník is more than just a competition; it′s a platform for bringing together mathematical talent from around the world. I′m very happy that we maintain and develop this tradition. It′s amazing to watch participants challenge each other with problems that can test even seasoned mathematicians. Many thanks to the organizing team from the Department of Mathematics, led by Lukáš Mocek, the jury members, and everyone who makes this possible. I′m already looking forward to next year and hope to see everyone in Ostrava again,” concludes Docent Zuzana Václavíková, Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava.
The Vojtěch Jarník International Mathematical Competition was established in 1991 by Professor Jaroslav Hančl, building on the legacy of the now-defunct ISTAM competition. Thanks to this continuity, it is today the oldest university-level mathematics competition in the European Union.
Updated: 24. 04. 2026
