Ateneo Debate Society shines again: Captures back-to-back United Asian Debating Championship title

Following their Historic World Championship Win, Ateneo Debaters Secure Asian Grand Champions Title for Second Consecutive Year!

Ateneo de Manila University students continue to make waves in the world of competitive debating as the Ateneo Debate Society (ADS) emerges triumphant once again. Fresh off their historic victory at the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) earlier this year, the talented debaters from Ateneo have now secured the prestigious United Asian Debating Championship (UADC) title for the second consecutive year.

The United Asian Debating Championship, hosted by Malaysia-based Intertext and Asia Pacific University, brought together top debating talents from universities across Asia. The tournament featured intense debates on a wide range of thought-provoking topics, challenging participants to showcase their rhetorical skills, critical thinking, and mastery of argumentation.

The Ateneo Debate Society's stellar performance at UADC 2023 was nothing short of remarkable. Ateneo 1, composed of Mikko Vitug (Masters in Applied Mathematics), David Africa (Masters in Data Science), and Tobi Leung (3 BS AMDSc), soared to victory, clinching the championship and solidifying their status as Asian Grand Champions. The team not only secured the first breaking team position but also dominated the individual speaker tab. Mikko, Tobi, and David received the Overall Best Speaker, 2nd Best Speaker, and 3rd Best Speaker awards respectively, further exemplifying their exceptional talent.

In a thrilling display of Ateneo's debating prowess, Mikko Vitug was crowned the Finals Best Speaker, cementing his reputation as one of the finest debaters in the region. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the rigorous training and dedication of the Ateneo debaters, who consistently push the boundaries of intellectual discourse and argumentation.

Adding to ADS' triumph, Ateneo 2, composed of Rivaldo Aquino (4 BS ES), Bea Cuizon (4 AB MEC), and Riva Fong (3 AB/MA POS), also showcased their exceptional debating skills by reaching the Asian Grand Finals. Their third-place overall ranking is a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence.

Not to be overlooked, Ateneo 3, represented by Kyle Go (3 BS MAC), Paolo Taino (4 AB SOC), and Terena Ines Neri (3 BS LM), displayed commendable expertise by securing a spot as Asian Double-Octofinalists. Their remarkable performance demonstrates the depth of talent within the Ateneo Debate Society.

Furthermore, the Philippine representation in the UADC's Adjudication Core was none other than Aly Barranda (4 AB POS), a testament to her skills and expertise. Beyond her role in making motions for the tournament, Aly also excelled as an adjudicator and contributed significantly to the success of the event.

This recent victory at UADC follows the Ateneo Debate Society's historic win at the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) held in Madrid, Spain, last January. By securing the championship title at the world's most prestigious debating tournament, the Ateneo debaters established their global reputation as formidable competitors in the realm of debating.

The consecutive victories at both the WUDC and UADC affirm Ateneo's commitment to nurturing exceptional debaters and promoting intellectual discourse. These achievements are a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Ateneo Debate Society, their coaches, and the entire Ateneo community.

As the Ateneo Debate Society continues to soar to greater heights, the university takes immense pride in their accomplishments. Ateneans across the globe celebrate the outstanding achievements of their debaters and look forward to witnessing their future triumphs.

Congratulations to the Ateneo Debate Society for their extraordinary successes!

Source: Ateneo Debate Society Facebook Page