Who is Agastya Goel? Indian-Origin Teen Meets Donald Trump After Olympiad Triumph

Washington, D.C. | September 25, 2025 An Indian-origin teenager, Agastya Goel, has made global headlines after being part of the United States Physics Team that clinched top honors at the 2025 International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). The team’s historic victory, marked by five gold medals — the best performance in its history — earned them an invitation to the White House, where they were congratulated by President Donald Trump. The winning U.S. team included Agastya Goel, along with teammates Allen Li, Joshua Wang, Feodor Yevtushenko, and Brian Zhang. Together, they dominated the international stage, cementing the U.S. team’s reputation in one of the world’s most competitive academic Olympiads. A photo shared by Michael Kratsios, a senior aide to President Trump, captured the memorable moment. The picture shows the president seated in the Oval Office with the five young champions standing proudly behind him. Kratsios wrote, “Today @POTUS & @WHOSTP47 were proud to welcome the 2025 World Champion USA Physics Team to the @WhiteHouse! These incredible geniuses DOMINATED at the International Physics Olympiad in July, bringing home a record FIVE gold medals — the greatest performance in team history.” For Agastya, the moment was surreal. In a LinkedIn post that quickly went viral, he expressed his gratitude: “Honored that the U.S. IPhO Team was invited to The White House and had the incredible experience of meeting the President in the Oval Office! Thank you to Michael Kratsios and the President for this opportunity!” Who is Agastya Goel? Agastya Goel is the son of Ashish Goel, an American professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. A student at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, Agastya has already built an impressive record in international academic competitions. Before excelling in physics, Agastya twice made his mark in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), winning gold medals in 2023 and 2024. At the 2024 contest, he achieved a remarkable score of 438.97 out of 600, showcasing his exceptional programming skills. Now, his accomplishments in physics further highlight his versatility and brilliance across disciplines. A Rising Star in Global Competitions Agastya’s achievements underline the continued success of Indian-origin students on international platforms. His journey reflects a mix of dedication, parental support, and access to academic excellence in the U.S. His victory with the U.S. Physics Team not only adds to his growing portfolio of achievements but also places him among the most promising young talents of his generation. Looking Ahead With repeated wins in different Olympiads, Agastya Goel has shown both consistency and adaptability. From informatics to physics, his intellectual breadth signals a bright future in science and technology. Meeting the U.S. president after such a landmark win marks yet another milestone in what promises to be an extraordinary academic career. Agastya Goel Meets President Trump After Olympiad Victory Agastya Goel, an Indian-origin teen from California, recently created history as part of the U.S. Physics Team that won the 2025 International Physics Olympiad with a record five gold medals. The team was invited to the White House, where they met President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Agastya, a student at Henry M. Gunn High School and the son of Stanford professor Ashish Goel, has previously won gold twice at the International Olympiad in Informatics. His journey from coding to physics showcases his remarkable talent, making him one of the most promising young minds of his generation.