A team of students from Jakarta has won third place at the 2nd International Olympiad of Metropolises in Moscow, Russia, where 400 participants from 36 cities across 26 countries competed on Sept. 4 to 9. 

Enjay Diana, a representative from the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow, told Antara news agency that the Jakarta team shared third place with Istanbul, Budapest, Zagreb, Chengdu, Leipzig and Riga. 

First place was shared among Moscow, Hong Kong and Shanghai, while second place was shared among St. Petersburg, Krakow, Minsk, Sofia and Belgrade.

Jakarta was the only Southeast Asian city to participate in the event. 

Muhamad Husin, the accompanying team leader from the Indonesian capital, said the members gained valuable experience in critical thinking and networking in the competition. 

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Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Wahid Supriyadi, who met with the team on Sept. 9, congratulated the team for representing the country abroad. Wahid said the students also held a diplomatic role, as the job was not only for diplomats.

The Jakarta team comprised eight students from various schools around the capital city, including SMAK 5 BPK Penabur, SMA Negeri 8, SMANU MH Thamrin, SMA Kolese Kanisius and SMA Santa Ursula.

The cold weather in the Russian city did not deter the students from competing, as they each came home with a medal. The team accumulated two silvers and six bronzes. 

Jason Jovi Brata won a silver in physics, while Rendy Wijaya received one in chemistry. The bronze medals were won by Prawira Satya Darma in physics, Filbert Fedinand and Kristoforus Jason in mathematics, Muhammad Ariqsyah Indra in chemistry and Inigo Ramli and Rania Rusdy in informatics.

"We need even more preparation for an event like this in the future," Inigo said. (liz/kes)