Africa-Press – Seychelles. Tunisian child Iyad Bouriou has claimed first place and the gold medal at the 2026 World Mental Calculation Championship, which took place on April 2 in Istanbul.
The competition, which saw wide participation from children and youth from various countries, was supervised by experts in mental calculation. It was not just an academic challenge but a race against time as part of the “International Genius Summit.”
In this setting, calculators were absent, and minds were the only engines at work. Iyad amazed the audience with his extraordinary ability to solve complex calculations in mere seconds, excelling with his high concentration and impressive calmness.
Behind this young champion lies a story of passion that began in his early childhood. His mother, Zahra Bouriou, recounts how her son turned everything around him into a mathematical equation: “Since he was little, numbers were his favorite game; he would calculate everything he encountered, even while playing.”
This innate talent was not left to chance but was honed through a triangle of success involving family, a coach, and home commitment. Through weekly training sessions and precise daily follow-ups, Iyad was able to transform his inclination towards numbers into a global skill.
Despite Iyad’s calm demeanor on the competition stage, his parents experienced unforgettable moments of tension. His father, Mohamed Bouriou, says, “The minutes leading up to the announcement of the results were the hardest; our hearts were racing while he was at the peak of his concentration.” He adds, “Our trip to Turkey was not just for support, but to witness a moment of pride for all of Tunisia; Iyad’s success is a crowning achievement for every ambitious Tunisian child.”
With an innocent smile and inspiring words, Iyad expressed his happiness with this achievement, affirming that his parents’ support was his motivation for first place. The “golden champion” did not forget to offer advice to his peers around the world, saying, “I advise everyone to work on what they love to succeed.”
With this victory, Iyad returns to Tunisia not only with a gold medal but as a symbol of a new generation that proves genius starts with a small passion and grows with love and determination.
