Lithuania crowned world champion at International Geography Olympiad with four gold medals

Lithuanian students have triumphed at the XXI International Geography Olympiad (iGEO), held from July 26 to August 1 in Bangkok, Thailand. The team secured an unprecedented victory, winning four gold medals and, for the first time in the history of the Olympiad, topping the global rankings.

The Lithuanian team secured an unprecedented victory, winning four gold medals and, for the first time in the history of the Olympiad, topping the global rankings among nearly 50 participating countries.

This historic achievement was announced by the Lithuanian Non-formal Education Agency (LINEŠA), highlighting Lithuania’s commanding lead over countries such as Singapore, the United States, Indonesia, Finland, China, and Poland and the rest of the 50 participating countries.

Gold medal recipients were:

Rojus Kondratavičius and Faustas Kondratavičius, from LSMU Gymnasium (teacher Jovita Vizbarienė);

Ugnius Vilimas, from Vilnius Lyceum (teacher Jolita Milaknienė);

Tomas Jakubauskas, from Palanga Old Gymnasium (teacher Nerijus Vaišvilas).

The team was coached by geographer Rytas Šalna (President of the Lithuanian Geographical Society), Angelė Pakamorienė (expert teacher at Gargždai Minija Progymnasium), and Edgaras Zaboras (former geography Olympiad participant).

“This has never happened before in Lithuania or in iGEO history. The Lithuanian team won four gold medals at the XXI International Geography Olympiad, securing first place globally this year. Our students’ geographic knowledge surpasses that of Singapore, the US, Indonesia, Finland, and China,” said Angelė Pakamorienė.

Gediminas Beresnevičius, Head of Talent Development at LINEŠA, added: “Congratulations to the young geographers on this remarkable achievement! This is not a random miracle, but the result of long, consistent, and systematic effort. This victory proves that talent is born of dedication, not merely nature. Lithuania’s geography community is one of the strongest and most active, from the youngest to the oldest. We are pleased that LINEŠA can contribute to it.”