Janez CERKOVNIK
University of Ljubljana
Regional Champion, Europe and Africa / Slovenia

Janez Cerkovnik is a Materials Engineering student at the University of Ljubljana and is currently completing his undergraduate studies. He plans to continue his education at master’s level in Metallurgy and Materials.

His main academic interests focus on steel production from secondary raw materials and the processing and further treatment of steel. Outside his studies, he is also an accordion player.

Janez discovered steelChallenge through the Process Steelmaking Technology course, where working with the simulator sparked a strong interest in steelmaking and its practical applications.

Victor LIMA
Universidade Federal do Ceará
Regional Champion, Americas / Brazil

Metallurgical Engineer who began his steelChallenge journey in 2023, encouraged by colleagues and former champions. He took on the competition as an opportunity to test and expand his technical knowledge in a highly demanding environment.

Throughout the competition, Victor was driven by the intensity of the challenge and the continuous learning process it required. Each stage contributed to his professional development, strengthening his problem-solving skills and technical confidence.

He credits the support of his tutors as key elements in his journey, helping turn the experience into a meaningful professional milestone.

Muaz ALHAJI
Amity University Dubai
Regional Champion, Asia-West / United Arab Emirates

Mechanical Engineering student with a strong interest in steelmaking processes and their industrial applications.

Through his participation in steelChallenge-20, he worked on practical, simulation-based steelmaking scenarios focused on process control, efficiency, and operational decision-making.

He is particularly interested in how real-world steel production challenges are addressed through engineering solutions and aims to further develop his skills in steel manufacturing and applied research, with the goal of pursuing advanced academic or professional opportunities in the field.

Ge Lei (葛磊)
Tangshan Vocational College of Science and Technology
Regional Champion, Asia-North / China

Student specialising in Intelligent Metallurgical Technology for iron and steel within the field of Materials Engineering.

Throughout his studies, he has demonstrated strong academic performance and a disciplined approach to learning, consistently ranking among the top students in his programme. He has also taken on responsibilities in class organisation and academic activities.

Alongside his technical studies, he has participated in extracurricular competitions, reflecting a well-rounded profile and a willingness to take on challenges. He aims to continue developing his expertise in metallurgy and pursue further academic or professional growth in the steel industry.

Jeong hoo Choi (최정후)
Jeonbuk National University
Regional Champion, Asia-East and Oceania / South Korea

Graduate in Metallurgical Engineering with a strong academic focus on steel and microstructural behaviour.

His studies have included grain growth behaviour, microstructure analysis, and modelling of microalloyed steels. He has developed a particular interest in computation-driven approaches for predicting material properties and microstructures.

He aims to apply thermodynamic calculation tools to optimise alloy design and processing, bridging fundamental research with practical steelmaking applications.

Wojciech SKUZA
ArcelorMittal
Regional Champion, Europe & Africa / Poland

Quality and Process Manager with experience in finishing operations and continuous improvement within the steel industry.

His work focuses on supporting reliable production, enhancing product quality, and improving performance across multiple process lines. He values practical, data-driven solutions and collaborative teamwork to strengthen operational results.

Through his participation in steelChallenge, he aims to broaden his technical perspective, explore new areas of steelmaking, and engage with the international steelmaking community.

Marviane SOUZA
ArcelorMittal
Regional Champion, Americas / Brazil

Production Engineer who joined steelChallenge in 2024, taking on the competition as an opportunity to expand her technical knowledge beyond her core discipline.

Through the training process and competition stages, she developed a deeper understanding of steelmaking while strengthening her problem-solving skills and broadening her approach to technical challenges.

She values the support provided by her company and the steelChallenge tutors, whose guidance and training played an important role in turning the experience into a meaningful professional milestone.

Balahanuman NARADALA
EMSTEEL
Regional Champion, Asia-West / United Arab Emirates

Field and DCS Operator with over 25 years of experience in process control and plant operations across industrial environments.

His expertise includes DCS operations, plant stabilisation, safety management, and troubleshooting complex systems to ensure reliable production and consistent quality. He has extensive experience supporting operational performance through effective supervision and process optimisation.

He is strongly committed to safety and operational efficiency and values continuous improvement as a driver for sustainable performance in steelmaking operations.

Wang Yang (王扬)
HBIS Group
Regional Champion, Asia-North / China

Steel industry professional with a strong interest in metallurgical processes, automation, and simulation.

Through steeluniversity training resources and his participation in steelChallenge, he strengthened his theoretical understanding of steelmaking while gaining practical insights applicable to his daily work.

Taking part in the global competition allowed him to exchange ideas with peers from across the international steel industry, broadening his perspective and reinforcing the value of continuous learning and collaboration.

Nahyun Kim (김나현)
POSCO
Regional Champion, Asia-East & Oceania / South Korea

Biography to be updated.

Details will be added once the finalist information is received.