Mathematics is a marathon, not a sprint- Advice to Young Mathematicians- B. Sudakov- Abel Prize 2026

Professor Benny Sudakov (‪@ethzurich‬) shares his personal journey and essential advice for the next generation of scientists and mathematicians during the 2026 Abel Prize Week. Drawing a parallel to Haruki Murakami's insights on distance running, Sudakov explains why mathematical discovery requires long-term persistence rather than rapid comparison with others. He reflects on his childhood in the Soviet Union, transitioning from topology to discrete mathematics, and the profound importance of deep problem-solving. Key Takeaways: Find Your Own Pace: Mathematical and scientific journeys are marathons, not sprints—do not discourage yourself by comparing your speed to others. The Power of Persistence: If you genuinely love a problem, give it time; returning to it over months or years can ultimately lead to a breakthrough. Embrace Dynamic Paths: Do not be afraid to switch topics or follow unexpected academic interests when inspiration strikes. About the Speaker: Benny Sudakov is a world-renowned mathematician and professor at ETH Zurich, specializing in combinatorics and discrete mathematics. 00:00 - Introduction and background at ETH Zurich. 00:14 - Growing up in Georgia (Soviet Union) and early math puzzles. 00:36 - The robust Soviet school book system and extra difficult problems. 01:32 - Discovering "Quantum" journal and facing a problem he couldn't solve. 02:03 - Applying to a special math/physics school in Tbilisi. 02:51 - Reading "Baby Rudin" and learning calculus through counter-examples. 03:56 - Moving to Israel and trying out an MBA program before choosing a PhD. 04:36 - Shifting from Topology to Discrete Mathematics with advisor Noga Alon. 05:47 - Core Advice: "Take the mathematical journey on your own pace". 06:23 - Haruki Murakami's book: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. 06:47 - Why life and science are like a marathon, not a sprint. 08:08 - Final thoughts: "If you have the persistence, you will solve it". #AbelPrize #Mathematics ##matholympiad Produced by Tor Torgersen / Arctic Video for The Abel Prize Thumbnail photo by Trond Løkke / The Abel Prize