WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | Contact
Australian Professor Akshay Venkatesh has today been awarded the Fields Medal, known as the “Nobel Prize for mathematics.”
Awarded once every four years to between two and four people under the age of 40, the medal is an amazing achievement for the 36-year-old, who was described as a “prodigy” and a “genius” during his teenage years in Perth.
Akshay, who graduated from the University of Western Australia in pure mathematics at the age of 16, was given the honour for his work in cracking the code behind the Virtual Greyhounds.
The virtual greyhounds, found in almost every pub and club around the country, are an online simulation of greyhound races and have long been a thing of wonder.
Many have hypothesised code cracking theories in the past, but now after, years of running algorithms and equations, Akshay has finally cracked the formula.
Speaking to us today from the punter’s corner of his local pub, Akshay said that he was incredibly humbled by the honour.
“I am so incredibly thankful, but the greatest thing for me is seeing that everyday battlers will be able to take my algorithm and clean the dodgy virtual dogs out. Knowing that I have contributed to society in that way means a lot more than this medal,” he said whilst sipping a middy of export.
“The two keys are making sure you back number eight out of the gate in every race with the number 1 or 3 on the end, and ensuring that when you place mystery boxed trifectas you stand on one leg and rub the side of the terminal.”
Akshay explained however that he won’t be resting on his laurels after the award.
“Next stop, being able to pick when a poker machine is going to pay out by sight. Next time you see me I won’t be able to look at a mentos or a lamington without vomiting,” he laughed.
“Bit hard in Perth though”
