Nepali students win four medals, including historic first silver, at astronomy Olympiad in Russia

Sirius, Russia, November 15, 2026 — Nepali students have won four medals, including the country’s first silver medal at an international astronomy Olympiad, at the fifth Open World Astronomy Olympiad in Russia.

Riwash Rai secured the silver medal at the competition, which concluded on Saturday in Sirius. Omraj Puri, Sneha Koirala and Suyash Koirala each won bronze medals.

Rai also received the “Diamond of the Team” distinction, according to Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) Chair Suresh Bhattarai. Bhattarai said this was the first time a Nepali student had won silver at an International Astronomy Olympiad.

The achievement follows another strong performance by Nepali students at the fifth International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad-Junior, held in Thailand earlier this month.

At that competition, Shahwaz Alam won gold, while Sahaj K.C. secured bronze. Alam’s victory marked Nepal’s first gold medal at the International Astronomy Olympiad.