HYDERABAD: Returning triumphant from Alexandria, Sushil Raaja Umasudhan, a first-year student at IIIT Hyderabad, clinched silver at the prestigious International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI-2024). The win marks his third international accolade, adding to a bronze medal from IOI-2023 in Hungary and a gold at the Asia Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO-2024). Ranked second in India and among the top 15% globally, Sushil’s achievement took him years of relentless focus and dedication.
Sushil’s programming journey began during the pandemic lockdown in 10th grade. “It was just a random thing I thought I could do,” he recalled. What started as an interest quickly became a full-blown commitment, leading him to invest over 10 hours daily, mastering algorithms and problem-solving skills. Supported by his parents, both software engineers, Sushil dedicated himself to the craft, turning his curiosity into competitive success.
Unlike his peers, who focused on the JEE exams, Sushil chose a different path. “It was a tough call between Olympiad practice and JEE prep,” he shared. This choice allowed him to gain admission to IIIT Hyderabad through a special Olympiad category, bypassing the standard entrance exams. “My parents trusted me and gave me the freedom to pursue what I loved,” he added.
The IOI challenge was thrilling and intense, with Sushil and his peers given five hours to solve complex, algorithm-based problems. “The problems require not only correct solutions but optimised ones that cut down computation time. I enjoyed the international experience, especially the camaraderie with teammates and a local Egyptian guide who added memorable, light-hearted moments,” he recalled.
Campus life at IIIT Hyderabad, he said, brings a balance of rigour and freedom, allowing Sushil to juggle academics with his passion. Recently, he took three weeks off to prepare for the IOI, which he said was made possible thanks to supportive faculty. After his return, friends celebrated his victory with a surprise party, a moment he describes as “unexpected and memorable.”
Looking ahead, Sushil has his sights set on the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), a prestigious team event. “We’ve formed a team, and our professors are very supportive. I’m also looking forward to joining the institute’s programming club to deepen his skills further,” he said.
For aspiring coders, Sushil’s advice is straightforward: “Be persistent, practice relentlessly. Use resources like Codeforces and CodeChef to build skills.” A chess player in his youth, he draws parallels between the strategy needed for the game and programming. “Coding is like a puzzle, you keep working at it until it clicks.” With an eye on future competitions, Sushil is eager to see where his coding skills will take him next.
