Key Takeaways:

• Nepal won four medals at the Open World Astronomy Olympiad in Russia
• Riwash Rai secured Nepal's first-ever silver medal at an International Astronomy Olympiad
• Omraj Puri, Sneha Koirala and Suyash Koirala won bronze medals
• Rai was additionally recognised as the 'Diamond of the Team'
• The achievement follows Nepal's first astronomy Olympiad gold medal won earlier this month in Thailand

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15 Nepali students secured a historic breakthrough at the fifth Open World Astronomy Olympiad in Russia, winning four medals including the country's first-ever silver medal at an international astronomy competition. Riwash Rai claimed the silver medal and was also named the competition's 'Diamond of the Team', while Omraj Puri, Sneha Koirala and Suyash Koirala each won bronze medals at the event held in Sirius, Russia. According to the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Rai's achievement marks the first time a Nepali student has won a silver medal at an International Astronomy Olympiad. The latest success follows another milestone for Nepal in international astronomy competitions earlier this month. At the fifth International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad-Junior in Thailand, Shahwaz Alam won a gold medal, while Sahaj K.C. secured bronze. NASO said Alam's gold medal was also a national first, making this year's competitions one of Nepal's most successful periods in international astronomy contests.