At 9, Mindoro student becomes first Filipino ‘Absolute Winner’ in Copernicus science tilt

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 07, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine Information Agency

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Nine-year-old Warren Wade Casuga has given the Philippines a first on the international science stage after emerging as the Absolute Winner in the Natural Science category of the 7th Copernicus Olympiad Global Round in Houston, Texas.

Casuga, a Grade 4 pupil of Holy Infant Academy in Calapan City, finished first overall in his category and also received a gold award during the competition held at Rice University in January 2026. Local government and national reports identified him as the first Filipino to earn the Absolute Winner distinction in the Copernicus Olympiad. 

The achievement came after a broad qualifying process. According to the Copernicus Olympiad, 5,581 students from 30 countries joined the preliminary round across Natural Science and Physics and Astronomy, while 229 students from 16 countries advanced to the Global Round in Houston. 

The organizers said the 2026 competition used an updated exam format combining multiple-choice and open-ended questions to test not only subject knowledge, but also conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning and critical thinking. 

Casuga’s win was also recognized by the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, the City Government of Calapan and education officials in the province. The Philippine Information Agency reported that his performance placed him ahead of competitors from countries including the United States, Brazil, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Turkey. 

His achievement later reached the Senate, where a resolution was filed congratulating and commending him for being named Absolute Winner in the Natural Science category of the international competition. 

For a Grade 4 student from Calapan City, the result marked an unusually early milestone: competing against young science talents from around the world and returning home with the highest distinction in his category.