# Diego Armando Martínez Ramírez from Sancti Spíritus Wins Absolute Gold in Central American Chemistry Olympiad

**Date:** 09/08/2023

The student in question is the "champion of atoms," Diego Armando Martínez Ramírez, who has several outstanding results in provincial and national competitions to his credit.
José Lázaro Peña

From the hands of the director of the Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE), Dunierky Díaz Medina, Escambray received the news: a student from the center won a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Chemistry Olympiad (Ocacq) which concludes on September 8 in El Salvador.

It is the most important pre-university student competition in the region and the student in question is the "champion of atoms," Diego Armando Martínez Ramírez, recently graduated from IPVCE, who was interviewed by this media outlet on July 31 past, given his results in national knowledge competitions.

I was nervous when I received the medal. My first reaction was to call home to tell my parents, confesses the young man.

"We had two tests: a theoretical one on Sunday and a practical one on Monday. I did better on the theoretical test, but I achieved excellent scores on both. On September 7 they made the winners public and I couldn't hide my surprise: I was expecting silver or a second gold," Diego confesses via WhatsApp from the event venue.

They awarded, he explains, a total of 13 medals distributed as follows: 2 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze. It is called absolute gold because it was the highest score among the thirteen medals. Of course, they still haven't told them the exact score.

"I was nervous when I received the medal. My first reaction was to call home to tell my parents. I couldn't hide my happiness," he added.

Diego especially thanks Agustín Plasencia Calero, his professor and Chemistry trainer, who not only dedicated time and attention to his training, but has also generally devoted 41 years to the education and training of more than 200 competitors.

"For him, for my family and for everyone who made this dream possible, my deepest gratitude," he concluded.

According to a prior report from Prensa Latina, the competition that hosts pre-university students from the region is organized by the Young Talent Program of El Salvador, and students from Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Venezuela, and the host country participate.

According to the organizers, the event aims to foster interest in the study of chemistry among young people in the region; as well as to prepare students for future Olympiads of greater difficulty.