Ateneo de Manila University’s debate team bought home the gold to the Philippines as they became the first-ever Filipino team to have won the World Universities Debating Championship.
A debate team from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) bought home the gold in the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) Open Grand Final in Madrid, Spain.
WUDC is the world's biggest debating tournament, held annually in English with teams representing universities from across the world. WUDC is hosted by the World Universities Debating Council.
It pitted different teams of different countries against each other and battled with their wits and minds as they fought for the championship.
The Philippine team fought against students from Princeton University, Brown University, Harvard University, and more colleges around the world for the title, Inquirer reported.
Debate team Ateneo A, composed of David Demitri Africa and Tobi Leung, took first place in the competition's grand finals in which they fought against the Princeton University of the United States, Sofia University of Bulgaria, and the Tel Aviv University of Israel in the finals.
ADMU showed their support and how proud they are as they congratulated Africa and Leung for winning the championship. Africa and Leung are joined by other contingents from the university as well, including Ateneo B with Quintin Chua and Aly Barranda, as well as Ateneo C with Bern Advincula and Zen Tiangco.
The Ateneo Debate Society said this is the third consecutive year that the organization made a finals appearance.
"What an amazing way to start the year! We're excited to see what more 2023 has in store for the Ateneo Debate Society." It said.
Truly a momentous moment for the Philippines to have its first championship in WUDC.
Tags: #Debate, #Gold, #Ateneo, #WUDC