KUALA LUMPUR – A 13-year-old Egyptian Muslim boy has been named the “smartest child in the world” after winning first place at a global competition in which thousands of competitors from around the world took part.

The boy, Abdulrahman Hussain, was participating in the Intelligent Mental Arithmetic International Competition, which took place in Malaysia in late December to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Intelligent Education Group, The Independent reported.

The young boy managed to solve 230 complex arithmetic problems in a mere eight minutes to win the coveted prize, beating 3,000 competitors who took part from 70 countries around the world.

This year the IMA International Competition was held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Malaysia.

Hussain’s teacher, Batul Mohammed Montasser, explained that Hussain has been training his mental capabilities for five years in preparation for the competition.

On the Intelligent Education Group website, they provide resources for people to learn from the Intelligent Mental Arithmetic Program.

“According to a scientific study, the so-called ‘child prodigy’ is but a common individual who happens to have developed an earlier and better mental faculty,” the website reads.

“For the schooling children, the method will be of great help to them in their ability and capability of calculation, response, concentration, and memory, which in turn will assist them to balance their brain power and strengthen the function of both their left and right brains.”