Pioneering Debate Excellence
30 June 2024
EduDrift brought together some of the brightest young debaters for this year’s iteration of the Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships last 22-23 June. Hosted via Zoom, this competitive tournament attracted a total of 171 participants from leading institutions in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. With a wide array of talents on display, the tournament offered a vibrant platform for students to challenge themselves on a broader stage.
The tournament featured a rigorous Asian 3v3 debate format, where 57 teams engaged in discussions on complex and interdisciplinary topics, including education, politics, laws and justice, the environment, international relations, economics, feminism, health, and psychology. Debaters, regardless of their experience, dived into challenging topics and showcased their ability to argue effectively. As the competition progressed, several teams and individuals distinguished themselves with remarkable performances. Their ability to navigate challenging topics and present compelling arguments made a lasting impression, underscoring the exceptional talent and dedication that define not only this tournament but all EduDrift events.
Consequently, we would like to recognize and celebrate the following debaters for taking home the Championship titles in the Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships 2024.
Champions, 18-and-Under Category
- Yuna Kim, Korea International School Jeju Campus (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Wei Feng (Jerry) Xu, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
- Ain Lee, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
Champions, 17-and-Under Category
- Caelan Smith, Anglican Church Grammar School
- Lucas Lu, Brisbane Grammar School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Doris Wei, Mansfield State High School
Champions, 16-and-Under Main Category
- James Lim, Hwa Chong Institution
- Daniel Chew, Hwa Chong Institution (Finals Best Speaker)
- Xi Cheng Huo, Hwa Chong Institution
Champions, 16-and-Under Rookie Category
- Zainab Nabihah, Compassvale Secondary School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Nichole Ho, Compassvale Secondary School
- Loa Chun Jun, Compassvale Secondary School
Champions, 15-and-Under Main Category
- Hankun Wang, Anglican High School
- Yanjun Liu, Shanghai High School International Division
- Fuqin Lian, Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to SISU (Finals Best Speaker)
Champions, 15-and-Under Rookie Category
- Serena Li, Chinese International School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Bryan Zhu, Chinese International School
- Emma Hu, Chinese International School
Champions, 14-and-Under Category
- Rachael Park, Korea International School
- Ein Chung, Seoul Foreign School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Michael Noh, Korea International School
Champions, 13-and-Under Category
- Lakshi Rajeev, Pymble Ladies College
- Maran Rajeev, Sydney Grammar School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Ayaan Rais, Sydney Grammar School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
Champions, 12-and-Under Category
- Charlene Sooin Cho, Chadwick International School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Jamie Jae In Cheon, Yeoksam Middle School
- Nayoon Lee, Yongsan International School of Seoul
In addition, we also would like to acknowledge the finalists and top speakers. Their outstanding performances and commitment to excellence were surely instrumental in elevating the level of debate at the Championships.
Finalists
Grandfinalists
Hyeeun Lee, North London Collegiate School Jeju
Seoyeon Shirley Park, Chadwick International School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
Chris Lee, North London Collegiate School Jeju
Best Speakers per Age Category
Top 10 Best Speakers
Overall Best: Angelina Li, North America International School
Co-2nd Best: Seoyeon Shirley Park, Chadwick International School
Co-2nd Best: Sihan Ma, Saint Paul’s School
3rd Best: Hyeeun Lee, North London Collegiate School Jeju
4th Best: Caelan Smith, Anglican Church Grammar School
5th Best: Taehoon Kim, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
Co-6th Best: Jeongyun Lim, Korea Minjok Leadership Academy
Co-6th Best: Seungwoo Jeong, Hana Academy Seoul
7th Best: Wei Feng (Jerry) Xu, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
8th Best: Ain Lee, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
Best Speakers per Region/Country
Top 10 Best Speakers
Overall Best: Ravipat Rodphothong, International School Bangkok
2nd Best: Patchat Kantakom, Concordian International School
3rd Best: Lapusrada Vatanalikit, Concordian International School
4th Best: Kittikhom Kriamorn, Newton Sixth Form School
5th Best: Thadparich Sakulsaksri, Newton Sixth Form School
6th Best: Pornpannakorn Sakulsaksri, Newton Sixth Form School
Co-7th Best: Kantaphol Sunirand, Concordian International School
Co-7th Best: Apinara Vanichayakosol, Concordian International School
Co-7th Best: Piyabha Tummavaranukub, Concordian International School
Witness some of the glorious debate rounds that unfolded during the Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships 2024 below:
This year’s Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships saw a wide range of institutions participating, each contributing to a rich and stimulating intellectual environment. We commend the following institutions for their vital role in advancing the competitive debating scene, fostering a space where both experienced and budding debaters could engage and excel.
Abbotsleigh
Anglican Church Grammar School
Anglican High School
Bandung Independent School
Bangkok Patana School
Baoshan Dahua Experimental School Affiliated to WFL Education
BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour
Beijing Desheng Middle School
Bina Bangsa School
Bina Bangsa School Malang
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Brisbane Grammar School
Brisbane State High School
Chadwick International School
Chadwick International School of Songdo
Changchun Foreign Languages School
Chengdu Shude High School
Cheongshim International Academy
Chinese International School
Compassvale Secondary School
Concordia International School Shanghai
Dehong International Chinese School
Fudan International School
Guiyang New World International School
Guiyang No.18 Middle School
Guryong Middle School
Hana Academy Seoul
Hwa Chong Institution
International School Bangkok
Jakarta Intercultural School
Knox Grammar School
Korea International School
Korea International School Jeju Campus
Korea Minjok Leadership Academy
Longkouxi Primary School
Loyola College High School Semarang
Mansfield State High School
Muhak Middle School
Newton Sixth Form School
North America International School
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Pymble Ladies College
Qingpu World Foreign Language School
Raffles Girls School
Saint Paul Preparatory Seoul
Saint Paul’s School
SCEGGS Darlinghurst
SD Academy
Seoul Foreign School
Seoul International School
Shanghai American School
Shanghai American School Pudong
Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to SISU
Shanghai Guanghua School
Shanghai High School International Division
Shanghai PingHe Bilingual School
Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School Qingpu
Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
Shanghai United International School HongQiao Campus
SMIC School
Sookmyung Girls’ High School
St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
Sydney Boys High School
Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Grammar School
Taipei American School
The Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University
The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy
Trinity Grammar School
United World College South East Asia (Dover Campus)
Uwing International School
Wellington College International Shanghai
Western Academy of Beijing
Wuhan International School
Yeoksam Middle School
Yew Chung International School of Shanghai
YK Pao School
Yongsan International School of Seoul
Zhengzhou Foreign Language School
Debating has traditionally been a space for showcasing a range of perspectives conveyed through excellent articulation and intellectual skill on a global stage. EduDrift stands at the forefront of integrating technology and education to nurture young debaters to acquire excellence in national and international debate circles. The Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships 2024 exemplifies EduDrift’s commitment to advancing the field and developing future debate leaders. We commend our outstanding participants for their achievements and eagerly anticipate continuing to build on this tradition in future editions of the Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships.