Agastya Goel: Physics Olympiad Gold Medalist Whose Intellectual Prowess Extends Far Beyond Physics
- He earned gold medals at the International Olympiad in Informatics in both 2023 and 2024.
In the halls of Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, Agastya Goel represents a new generation of American scientific talent. The junior student recently made history as one of five gold medalists on the 2025 U.S. Physics Team at the International Physics Olympiad in Paris, helping the United States achieve an unprecedented feat—becoming the only country team to win five gold medals at the competition held between July 17-25, 2025.
Goel’s intellectual prowess extends far beyond physics. His LinkedIn profile reveals a remarkably diverse academic portfolio: “IOI Gold ’23, ’24 | RSI ’24 | USPhysicsTeam Member ’24 | MOP ’23″—a testament to his achievements across multiple Olympic-level competitions. He earned gold medals at the International Olympiad in Informatics in both 2023 and 2024, with his 2024 performance particularly impressive as he finished #4 overall in what is considered the world’s most challenging programming contest for high school students.
Goel’s achievements come with a remarkable family background. His father, Ashish Goel, achieved #1 out of nearly 1 million candidates in India’s IIT exam in 1990 and went on to become a Professor of Management Science and Engineering.
His participation in the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT in 2024 and the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) in 2023 further underscores his exceptional abilities across STEM disciplines. As he describes his passion: “I love thinking about computer science and physics and finding ways to apply them to my everyday life.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Goel’s achievements come with a remarkable family background. His father, Ashish Goel, achieved #1 out of nearly 1 million candidates in India’s IIT exam in 1990 and went on to become a Professor of Management Science and Engineering. The elder Goel earned his Ph.D in Computer Science from Stanford in 1999 and has contributed to major technology companies including Twitter and Stripe.
Despite his intense focus on academics, Goel maintains a well-rounded lifestyle that reflects the breadth of his interests. His personal description reveals someone who values both intellectual and artistic pursuits: “I also enjoy performing through choir and theater, as well as playing tennis and board games.” One source notes his competitive spirit extends to card games, mentioning that he “always wins the card game Coup.”
The 2025 International Physics Olympiad marked a historic achievement for both Goel and the U.S. team. Competing alongside teammates Allen Li, Joshua Wang, Feodor Yevtushenko, and Brian Zhang, Agastya won the gold medal in a competition that drew student scholars from 85 nations. This physics triumph adds to his already impressive collection of international medals from computer science competitions.
As a junior at Gunn High School, Goel represents the intersection of immigrant achievement and American educational opportunity. His story illustrates how academic excellence can transcend generations and disciplines, combining rigorous preparation with diverse interests. Whether he’s solving complex physics problems, coding algorithms, performing on stage, or competing on the tennis court, Agastya Goel embodies the multifaceted nature of contemporary student achievement.