News | 09 September 2026
Young robotics team makes lasting memories at international competition in South Korea
During the summer, students Zain, Abigail, Naksh and Jwalitha represented IES Södra Änggården at an international robotics competition in South Korea, demonstrating exceptional resilience, teamwork and determination throughout an unforgettable few days.
From the left: Jwalitha, Abigail, Naksh and Zain.
In April, IES Södra Änggården’s talented robotics team secured 3rd place at the RoboCup Junior Sweden finals. That impressive result officially qualified them for the global stage, leading to their journey to the “World Cup of Robotics” in South Korea in July.
As the youngest and least experienced team among 25 competing nations, they faced numerous technical hurdles, including robot breakdowns and damaged sensors. Despite these setbacks, the team worked tirelessly together, earning valuable points across rescue missions, technical challenges and presentations.
Reflecting on the pressure, Zain shared how the team coped with the steep learning curve: "The biggest challenge I faced was how little time we had to develop our robot, which made the challenge much harder for us, alongside a lack of prior experience." Abigail agreed, noting: "When we encountered mechanical problems, it forced us to do problem-solving and to think outside the box. It pushed me and made me stay resilient until the end."
Global friendships and shared learning
Away from the arena, the students embraced every opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s most talented young robotics teams. A standout moment occurred ahead of the Joint Super Challenge, when they spent an evening programming alongside a leading Japanese team.
"We learnt a lot from the Japanese team – for example, how they were always respectful, coordinated and organised," recalled Jwalitha. "In a few days, our bond as a team grew stronger." Naksh added: "Watching teams from different countries tackle the same problems was genuinely eye-opening. The diversity of approaches was almost as interesting as the competition itself."
"I was amazed by the grit and determination our students showed throughout the competition," said Mr Rauthan, science teacher at IES Södra Änggården. "Their problem-solving skills, teamwork and confidence developed significantly as they faced new challenges. They truly kept the IES ethos alive beyond the school environment."