Japan became the setting for an early international achievement for two Curro Krugersdorp Primary School brothers in July.

Grade 2 learner Tshifhiwa Nengwekhulu and his younger brother, Grade R learner Unarine Nengwekhulu, represented South Africa at the World Anzan Classic 2026. Both returned with bronze medals from the international competition, which focuses on abacus and mental-arithmetic skills.

The competition was held on 19 July in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and is organised by the Japan International Soroban Association.

A young age for international competition

The brothers competed against young mathematicians from around the world, with both earning Bronze Medals for Mathematics.

For Tshifhiwa and Unarine, the achievement carries added weight because of their ages. Mental arithmetic requires speed, accuracy and concentration, with competitors working under pressure while processing numbers quickly.

The World Anzan Classic is more specific than a general mathematics competition. ‘Anzan’ refers to mental calculation and is closely linked to soroban, the Japanese abacus. Competitors often develop the ability to visualise the abacus mentally, allowing them to complete calculations without physically moving beads.

South African learners on a global stage

Curro Krugersdorp congratulated Tshifhiwa and Unarine on their international medals.

Their results place them among the leading performers at the event and add international recognition to their early school careers.

The achievement also gives the school a clear academic story from the Foundation Phase: two young learners, both still in the early years of primary school, competing internationally in a discipline that demands accuracy, focus and rapid numerical thinking.