Osage Elementary School fourth grader Trishob Thigulla has once again demonstrated his exceptional talents in history and geography.
At just 9 years old, the Voorhees resident has established himself as a formidable competitor on both national and international stages, a young scholar with a passion for learning.
Trishob’s journey began early, according to his mother Sravani. An early interest in numbers and geography quickly evolved to include a love for history. The subjects would soon become central to Trishob’s academic pursuits.
“Since he was 3 years old, he’s shown an incredible interest in maps and atlases,” recalled Sravani. “By the time he was 5, he was already exploring Google Maps, memorizing addresses and learning how to navigate to nearby stores and airports.”
Trishob’s parents recognized his burgeoning talents and introduced him to academic competitions at a young age. In first grade, he began to enter spelling and geography bees organized by the North South Foundation (NSF). Despite his young age, Trishob excelled, taking second place in both competitions.
The following year, he expanded his horizons by participating in the International Academic Competitions (IAC), where he made it to the finals in both the National History and National Geography bees.
Trishob’s achievements were on display last month at the 3rd International Geography Championships in Vienna, Austria, where he led the medals table among all divisions, winning six gold. Victories included titles in the International Geography Bee World Championships, the East Asian Geography Bee, the Historical Geography Bee and multiple geography tests focused on specific world regions.
At May’s IAC National Championships in Orlando, Florida, Trishob continued his winning streak by clinching the title in the National Geography Bee, along with first-place finishes in several geography and history tests.
Trishob’s success is not solely his own; it is supported by a nurturing family environment that encourages his academic interests. His father Sanjay played a key role in fostering his son’s love for maps and history by introducing him to National Geographic books that quickly became favorites.
Sravani has been instrumental in managing her son’s schedule and ensuring he has the time to explore his passions while balancing school work. His dad bought him the National Geographic book, Our Fifty States, and he read it “countless times,” Sravani said.
“We also quizzed him on geography at home for fun, which helped us realize just how much he knew,” she added. “That’s when we started looking for competitions to challenge him.”
Sravani described how Trishob’s curiosity led him to spend his free time reading history books, watching educational programs and quizzing himself on geography and history topics. As he continues to pursue his interests, Trishob’s family says he’s motivated by both a love of learning and the thrill of competition.
