He is all of 10. But Ammaar Ahmad, a Class V student of Sarla Birla Public School here, has achieved third place internationally at the 18th National Cyber Olympiad, a test he sat for on January 31.

National Cyber Olympiad, a cyber concepts and knowledge based global search competition that aims at identifying and nurturing cyber talent among youngsters, was conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services in 30 countries. Only students from Classes I to XII can participate in this contest, provided they register themselves through their schools.

On the Olympiad, its website says, “It is as much about inspiring younger generation to enhance their knowledge and comprehension of issues related to computer and IT as about testing their aptitude.”

Kanke boy Ammaar, for whom computers were his first love since the time he was in KG II and saw a personal computer at his neighbour’s house, said he answered the cyber Olympiad last year and “topped school and zonal levels”. This time, he’s sharing third spot internationally, with two other children who he does not know. “Feels good,” he smiled. “I thought I answered questions related to hardware, software and basic programming, and logical and analytical reasoning rather well,” Ammaar said.

His result sheet shows he scored 58 out of 60 marks, so there’s no arguing with that. He will get an international bronze medal and a certificate of outstanding performance but share the cash award with the two other students who shared the third spot.

Ammaar’s father Ansar Ahmad, an assistant professor of Ranchi Veterinary College under Birsa Agricultural University in Kanke, said he was proud of his son but did not want to burden him with expectations. “That’s why I have kept his career choices completely up to him. He loves computers, science and English, but it’s too early to say what he will end up doing,” said the new-age dad.

Ahmad added, “Ammaar’s an intelligent, curious boy. He’s hijacked my laptop. If he doesn’t know something, or it’s a question outside my domain, he’ll search it on the Net.”

The boy also appeared in maths Olympiad last month, results of which are awaited.

School principal Paramjit Kaur called Ammaar hard-working and consistent. “We are proud of him,” she said.