The Indian competitive programming scene has achieved a new landmark. Shreyan Ray, a 20-year-old student from Kolkata, has soared to the pinnacle of the global coding arena. Under his handle Dominater069, Ray has become India’s inaugural Legendary Grandmaster (LGM) on Codeforces. In a world that’s obsessed with advanced artificial intelligence coding, this is an incredible deal.
For the unaware, Codeforces is a renowned platform hosting algorithmic challenges for over 100,000 active users. Ray’s current rating stands at an astonishing 3090, which catapults him to 40th place worldwide — a feat that highlights his exceptional talent amid fierce international competition.
Ray’s rise to the ranks was sealed following a stellar performance in a recent Codeforces round, where consistent high score performance pushed his rating beyond the elusive 3000 threshold — a necessity for the LGM status. Only about 60 coders currently hold this elite rank, with roughly 100 having ever attained it, mostly from China.
For context, LGMs represent the top 0.06 per cent of participants, solving complex problems in data structures, graph theory, and optimisation in a limited time.
Shreyan Ray: A little background
Hailing from the prestigious IIT Kharagpur, where he currently pursues a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computing, Ray’s journey of winning these competitions began early.
In 2022, he clinched a silver medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), showcasing his prowess on the world stage. By May 2025, as a second-year student, he had already shattered many Indian records with a 2912 rating, which was the highest ever for a compatriot at the time.
This latest milestone, achieved just months later, highlights his rapid coding knowledge evolution and dedication. “After a long wait, Dominater069 finally deservingly reached LGM,” noted a Codeforces community blog, praising his consistent performances.
The news exploded across social media, ignited by a viral post from Deedy Das, who is a renowned tech investor and an alumnus of Cornell CS. “Shreyan Ray (Dominater069) just became India’s first Legendary Grandmaster (>3000 rating) on competitive coding platform Codeforces,” Das tweeted.
Indian coding community can’t stop showering praises
While Das’ post garnered over 500 likes and sparked congratulatory replies, other social media platforms couldn’t help but appreciate his immense talent. On Reddit’s r/Btechtards subreddit, fans hailed it as a “brilliant performance.” LinkedIn connections from IIT circles buzzed with pride. Even Instagram reels celebrated the “huge congratulations” for breaking barriers in competitive coding.
Ray’s triumph arrives amid India’s growing tech ecosystem, where competitive programming gives rise to careers at FAANG giants and startups. As a team member eyeing the ICPC World Finals next year, he could contest for an Indian gold, which could potentially be the nation’s first. “Hoping to see first Indian ICPC medal soon,” one Codeforces commenter wished.