Chinese math prodigy who turned down MIT has no regrets as former math rival wins Fields Medal

Deng received the Fields Medal in July alongside fellow Chinese mathematician Wang Hong, making them the first Chinese nationals to win the prestigious award, often described as the "Nobel Prize of mathematics."

Their historic achievement renewed attention on Liu, who once competed alongside Deng and even outscored him at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the world’s premier mathematics competition for high school students.

While Deng stayed in mathematics and became a professor at the University of Chicago, Liu turned down a fully funded Massachusetts Institute of Technology offer, became a Buddhist monk and left the field.

In an August interview with Chinese outlet Jimu News, Liu reflected on the different paths he and Deng have taken over the past 20 years. He said he met Deng in 2006 while training with about two dozen of China's top high school mathematics students for the IMO. They were roommates and rivals competing for one of six places on China's national team.

Liu recalled Deng as quiet but deeply passionate about mathematics. The two often discussed mathematics, philosophy and life. Both made the Chinese team and won gold medals at the IMO in Slovenia. Liu achieved a perfect score of 42, tying for the highest score in the competition, while Deng scored 35 and tied for sixth.

Both later studied mathematics at Peking University and had opportunities to continue their studies at MIT.

Their paths then diverged. Deng transferred to MIT and later earned a doctorate from Princeton University before pursuing an academic career. Liu remained at Peking University and, after graduating in 2010, rejected the fully funded MIT offer and became a Buddhist monk.

Former Chinese math prodigy Liu Zhiyu. Photo from Liu's Weibo

Walking away from mathematics

Liu said his decision to leave mathematics was shaped partly by physical and psychological struggles that were largely hidden during his years as a math prodigy. He developed serious eye problems while preparing for mathematics competitions in high school, making prolonged reading difficult.

Even the year he won his IMO gold medal was difficult, he said. "Outsiders saw the glory of me winning the Olympiad gold medal, but for me, it was actually a very painful year. I felt lost."

His health problems continued at university, where his parents and roommates sometimes helped by reading books aloud or recording material for him. At the same time, his interests increasingly shifted toward Buddhism, psychology and questions about life.

He eventually left monastic life and formally returned to secular life in 2022. He now works in psychology and traditional Chinese culture while producing online content.

'No regrets'

After Deng's Fields Medal was announced, Liu sent his former roommate a congratulatory message. He said that based on talent alone, it might appear that he could have followed a similar path. But such comparisons overlooked the physical and psychological difficulties he faced at the time.

He has since built a very different life. He now works more than 10 hours a day, typically livestreaming from 9 a.m. and working until about 9 p.m., according to a September report by The Paper.

Asked whether he could have become a mathematician like Deng or Wang, he said it was "not very likely."

He acknowledged envying the two mathematicians, but not because they had won the Fields Medal. What he admired was their ability to devote themselves to mathematics for 20 years.

Looking back at the path he chose, Liu was unequivocal. "I have no regrets," he said.