Dutch teenager Michelle Sweering (17) is the only girl to have won a gold medal at the International Mathematic Olympiad in South Africa.

With six medals and six entrants, the Netherlands ended up in 13th place in the overall rankings, which were led by China, the US, Taiwan and Japan. In total, 101 countries took part.

‘We knew we had a good team, but these results beat our expectations,’ coach Quintijn Puite told news agency ANP. ‘We are incredibly proud of them all.’

Michelle, from Krimpen aan den Ijssel, was one of just 15 of the 560 competitors to solve the most difficult puzzle.