Our Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad (HKLO) Team, comprising four local secondary school students, achieved outstanding results at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL), held in Bucharest, Romania, from 27 July to 1 August 2026.
Competing against some of the world’s most talented young linguists, the Team brought home two Silver Medals (Maxwell JI and Theo LOMONE), one Bronze Medal (Ricky LEUNG), one Honourable Mention (Jayden KONG), and a Silver Medal in the Team Contest – affirming their exceptional capabilities on the global stage.
Congratulations to all team members on their remarkable accomplishments, which showcase their exceptional linguistic aptitude, dedication, and teamwork.
The results of the 23rd IOL can be found here.
HKLO Team at the IOL 2026 (in alphabetical order)
Prof. Eric PELZL (Team Leader)
FARHAN Ishraq (Deputy Team Leader)
Jayden KONG (St Paul’s Co-educational College);
Maxwell JI (Chinese International School);
Ricky LEUNG (Excel London College); and
Theo LOMONE (Diocesan Boy’s School).
Looking ahead, the 2026/27 HKLO training programme will commence in late September/early October. If you’re interested in joining this year, don’t miss the opportunity! The 24th IOL will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2027.
The Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad (HKLO) is organised by the Faculty of Humanities at PolyU, in collaboration with the HKLO Committee.
The IOL is one of the twelve international science Olympiads designed for secondary school students, challenging participants to solve complex linguistic puzzles using logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Unlike many competitions, it requires no prior knowledge of specific languages or linguistics. Participants tackle problems spanning syntax, phonology, semantics, and writing systems by identifying patterns in unfamiliar language- including rare and endangered ones. The competition is divided into two categories: an individual contest where participants work independently, and a team contest requiring collaboration to resolve more intricate problems.
