docs(notes): add 2025-05-04-kangyang-zhou-en.md

Author: lzwjava

notes/2025-05-04-kangyang-zhou-en.md

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+title: Kangyang Zhou
+lang: en
+layout: post
+audio: false
+translated: false
+generated: true
+---
+
+Kangyang Zhou, born in 2007 in Hangzhou, China, is a prodigious competitive programmer widely regarded as one of the most exceptional talents in the global competitive programming community. Known by his online handles "zh0ukangyang" on AtCoder and "orzdevinwang" on Codeforces, Zhou has achieved unprecedented success at a remarkably young age, including holding the highest rating in the world on Codeforces and earning a perfect score at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). As of May 2025, Zhou is a high school student at Hangzhou No. 2 High School and a member of the Explosive Vegetable Club, a group associated with his competitive programming activities. His extraordinary achievements, including multiple world-class titles and a Codeforces rating of 3695 (peaking at 3844), have solidified his reputation as a legendary figure in the sport, though his use of multiple accounts has sparked some controversy.
+
+### Early Life and Introduction to Competitive Programming
+Zhou’s journey in competitive programming began at a young age, likely during his early school years, given his participation in high-level international competitions by his mid-teens. Born in 2007, he demonstrated an early aptitude for mathematics and algorithmic problem-solving, skills that are critical to success in competitive programming. His rapid rise in the field suggests he started competing in local or national contests in China, a country with a strong tradition of nurturing talent in programming olympiads. By the time he was 16, Zhou was already dominating global competitions, showcasing a level of skill and maturity far beyond his years.
+
+His participation in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) as a high school student marked a significant milestone in his career. The IOI, one of the most prestigious programming competitions for high schoolers, requires deep knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving under strict time constraints. Zhou’s performance at the IOI 2024, where he achieved a perfect score of 600/600, set a new benchmark for excellence in the competition and established him as a global leader in the field.[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indianorigin-teen-son-of-iit-jee-topper-wins-gold-at-world-s-toughest-programming-contest-101725948626514.html)
+
+### Academic Background
+As of 2025, Kangyang Zhou is a student at Hangzhou No. 2 High School, one of China’s top institutions known for producing academic and competitive talent. While specific details about his academic pursuits are limited, his focus on competitive programming suggests a strong emphasis on computer science, mathematics, and related disciplines. Given his age and ongoing high school education, Zhou is likely preparing for university, where he could pursue a degree in computer science or a related field. His affiliation with the Explosive Vegetable Club, a group likely tied to his school or local programming community, indicates he trains and competes alongside other talented programmers, fostering a collaborative and competitive environment.
+
+### Major Achievements in Competitive Programming
+Zhou’s competitive programming career is defined by a series of groundbreaking achievements across major platforms and tournaments. Below are some of his most notable accomplishments:
+
+1. **International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2024**:
+   - Zhou won the gold medal at the 36th IOI, held in Egypt in September 2024, with a perfect score of 600/600, a rare feat that placed him first overall among 343 competitors from around the world. This performance outshone other top talents, including Indian-origin American Agastya Goel, who ranked fourth with 438.97/600. Zhou’s perfect score highlighted his ability to solve complex algorithmic problems flawlessly under intense pressure.[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indianorigin-teen-son-of-iit-jee-topper-wins-gold-at-world-s-toughest-programming-contest-101725948626514.html)[](https://cphof.org/standings/ioi/2024)
+
+2. **Codeforces Ranking and Rating**:
+   - Zhou is the highest-rated programmer on Codeforces, a leading competitive programming platform, with a current rating of 3695 and a peak rating of 3844, earning him the title of Legendary Grandmaster. His handles "zh0ukangyang" and "orzdevinwang" have both ranked in the global top 10, with "orzdevinwang" solving 1884 problems overall and 167 in the last year as of May 2025. His dominance on Codeforces has been described as “out of this world,” particularly given his young age.[](https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/123690)[](https://codeforces.com/topic/124315/en1)[](https://codeforces.com/profile/orzdevinwang)
+
+3. **AtCoder Performance**:
+   - Under the handle "zh0ukangyang," Zhou is a prominent competitor on AtCoder, another major competitive programming platform. While specific AtCoder achievements are less documented in available sources, his participation in AtCoder contests and high ranking align with his overall reputation as a top-tier programmer.[](https://cphof.org/profile/codeforces:orzdevinwang)[](https://cphof.org/profile/atcoder:zhoukangyang)
+
+4. **Other Competitions**:
+   - Zhou has likely participated in additional national and international contests, such as those organized in China, given his affiliation with Hangzhou No. 2 High School, which has a strong programming olympiad program. His consistent performance across platforms suggests success in events like the China National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) or similar competitions, though specific details are not widely publicized.
+
+### Controversy Over Multiple Accounts
+Zhou’s career has not been without controversy. In 2023 and 2024, Codeforces blogs highlighted that Zhou maintained two accounts, "zh0ukangyang" and "orzdevinwang," both ranking in the global top 10, in violation of Codeforces’ rule against multiple accounts. While some community members argued that Zhou did not use these accounts to cheat (e.g., by collaborating during contests), the issue sparked debate about fairness and community standards. Defenders noted that Zhou’s skill level was so high that he would likely achieve top ranks with a single account, as evidenced by his perfect IOI score and consistent performance. The controversy has not led to formal sanctions, but it remains a point of discussion in the competitive programming community.[](https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/123690)[](https://codeforces.com/topic/124315/en1)[](https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/124435)
+
+### Programming Style and Approach
+Zhou is known for his mastery of algorithmic problem-solving, excelling in areas such as dynamic programming, graph algorithms, and advanced data structures. He primarily uses C++ for its speed and efficiency, a common choice among top competitive programmers. His ability to achieve perfect scores, as seen in the IOI 2024, indicates exceptional precision, speed, and clarity in translating complex algorithms into working code within tight time limits. Zhou’s approach is characterized by:
+
+- **Analytical Rigor**: His solutions demonstrate deep understanding of problem constraints and edge cases, ensuring correctness across all test cases.
+- **Speed and Efficiency**: Zhou’s ability to solve numerous problems quickly, as evidenced by his 1884 solved problems on Codeforces, reflects optimized coding practices and fast input/output techniques.
+- **Versatility**: His success across platforms like Codeforces, AtCoder, and IOI shows adaptability to different problem formats and competition rules.
+
+In posts on X, Zhou’s dominance has been described with awe, with users questioning if he is “human” due to his ability to “100% everything” and create significant rating gaps with other top competitors.[](https://x.com/teortaxesTex/status/1890041583116091786)
+
+### Personal Traits and Philosophy
+At 17–18 years old, Zhou combines youthful energy with a disciplined focus on competitive programming. His dedication is evident in his streak of solving problems consistently, with a maximum of 31 consecutive days of activity on Codeforces. While little is known about his personal life outside programming, his commitment to the sport suggests a passion for intellectual challenges and a drive to push the boundaries of what is possible in competitive programming. Unlike some programmers who share insights through blogs or tutorials, Zhou has not posted blog entries on Codeforces, focusing instead on competing and solving problems.[](https://codeforces.com/profile/orzdevinwang)
+
+### Recognition and Impact
+Zhou’s achievements have earned him widespread acclaim in the competitive programming community. His perfect IOI score and top Codeforces rating have made him a role model for aspiring programmers, particularly in China, where competitive programming is highly valued. Social media posts on X reflect admiration for his skills, with users marveling at his ability to dominate contests at such a young age. His contributions to the sport, including solving 1884 problems on Codeforces, have enriched the platform’s problem-solving ecosystem by providing high-quality submissions for others to learn from.[](https://codeforces.com/profile/orzdevinwang)[](https://x.com/teortaxesTex/status/1890041583116091786)
+
+The controversy over his multiple accounts has also sparked broader discussions about the ethics of competitive programming and the challenges of regulating a global, online sport. Despite this, Zhou’s talent is undeniable, and his achievements continue to inspire both peers and newcomers to the field.
+
+### Future Prospects
+As a high school student, Zhou is at the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career. His options for the future include:
+
+- **Academic Pursuits**: Zhou is likely to attend a top university in China or abroad, potentially studying computer science or mathematics. Institutions like Tsinghua University, Peking University, or MIT would be natural fits given his talent.
+- **Professional Career**: His skills make him a prime candidate for roles at tech giants like Google, Meta, or ByteDance, many of which recruit competitive programmers for their problem-solving abilities. His IOI and Codeforces achievements could also lead to opportunities in algorithmic research or software engineering.
+- **Continued Competition**: Zhou may continue competing in university-level contests like the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) or professional tournaments like the Meta Hacker Cup, further cementing his legacy.
+
+Given his young age and current dominance, Zhou has the potential to redefine the upper limits of competitive programming, much like previous legends such as Gennady Korotkevich (“tourist”). His ability to maintain focus and improve continuously will be key to sustaining his success.
+
+### Conclusion
+Kangyang Zhou is a once-in-a-generation talent in competitive programming, whose perfect IOI score, top Codeforces rating, and consistent excellence across platforms have established him as the world’s leading programmer at just 17–18 years old. Despite controversy over his use of multiple accounts, his skill, precision, and dedication are unquestioned, earning him admiration and respect from the global programming community. As he completes high school and looks toward university and beyond, Zhou is poised to leave an indelible mark on competitive programming, inspiring future generations to tackle algorithmic challenges with creativity and rigor. His story is a testament to the power of talent, hard work, and passion in transforming a mental sport into a platform for extraordinary achievement.[](https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/123690)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indianorigin-teen-son-of-iit-jee-topper-wins-gold-at-world-s-toughest-programming-contest-101725948626514.html)[](https://x.com/teortaxesTex/status/1890041583116091786)