Setting New Records
07 September 2024
EduDrift made history once again on 29-30 June 2024 with the Asia Pacific Junior Debate Championships, setting a new record for the largest junior debate championships ever held in world history. This marks the second time EduDrift has shattered this record, further solidifying its position as a leader in the competitive debating community.
The two-day tournament brought together an impressive 90 teams of young and talented minds, aged 7 to 13, from a diverse range of countries across the Asia Pacific region, including Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia. With a total of 270 participants, the event was judged by 61 world-class adjudicators, all of which are EduDrift-certified adjudicators renowned for their extensive experience in both debating and adjudication. This unprecedented level of participation highlighted the growing enthusiasm among young debaters to engage in meaningful discourse and hone their public speaking skills.
The quality of debate during the tournament was truly exceptional. Many of the debaters displayed a level of sophistication and intellectual maturity far beyond their years. We offer our heartfelt congratulations and sincere appreciation to those who excelled with remarkable skill and determination across five preliminary rounds and four elimination rounds, ultimately bagging the prestigious champion title. Your impressive performances are a testament to your dedication and talent.
Champions, 13-and-Under Main Category
- Ian Choi, Dulwich College Seoul
- Ein Chung, Seoul Foreign School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Rachael Park, Korea International School
Champions, 13-and-Under Rookie Category
- Jisung Moon, Daemyeong Middle School
- Yena An, Seoul International School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Christopher Ahnn, Seoul International School
Champions, 12-and-Under Main Category
- Chloe Joo Hee Park, Seoul Foreign School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Hyung Eun Choi, Kyungbok Elementary School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Yu-Jin Han, Hanyang Elementary School
Champions, 12-and-Under Rookie Category
- Zichen Huang, Qingdao Cornerstone Bilingual School
- Wang Zimu
- Yiqing Wei, Qingdao Qihui Bilingual School (Finals Best Speaker)
Champions, 11-and-Under Main Category
- Sian Song, Seoul Daehyun Elementary School
- Chaeha Lee, Hanyang Elementary School
- BeomJoon Kim, Seoul Academy International School (Finals Best Speaker)
Champions, 11-and-Under Rookie Category
- Claire Chang, Dulwich College Seoul
- Adrianna Lee, Chadwick International School Songdo (Finals Best Speaker)
- Alana Yoon, Seoul International School
Champions, 10-and-Under Category
- Eric Im, Yooseok Elementary School (Finals Best Speaker)
- Jonathan Junyoung Shin, Korea International School
- Jibeom Lee, Seoul Foreign School
Champions, 9-and-Under Category
- Hyunje Park, Unjung Elementary School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Green Kim, Chadwick International School (Co-Finals Best Speaker)
- Simo Lee, Seoul National University Elementary School
Stepping into the spotlight takes immense courage and confidence. This year’s finalists have shown incredible talent and determination. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and the well-deserved awards they have earned. Their hard work and remarkable performances were truly outstanding.
Finalists
Grandfinalists
Yechan Shin, Seoul POI Elementary School
Ethan Kim, Korea International School
Yejoon Shin, Seoul POI Elementary School
Best Speakers per Age Category
Top 10 Best Speakers
Overall Best: Aryavansh Goel, Suncity School Gurgaon
2nd Best: Jibeom Lee, Seoul Foreign School
Co-3rd Best: Charlotte Lerao Xia, Shanghai High School International Division
Co-3rd Best: Seulhyun Sung, Hwarang Elementary School
4th Best: Green Kim, Chadwick International School
Co-5th Best: Yejoon Shin, Seoul POI Elementary School
Co-5th Best: Yechan Shin, Seoul POI Elementary School
Co-5th Best: Seim Kim, Daedok Elementary School
Co-5th Best: Ethan Kim, Korea International School
Co-5th Best: Soohyun Kim, Seoul Daedo Elementary School
6th Best: Joonhyun Nam, Kyunghee Elementary School
7th Best: Audrey Yeung, Munsang College Primary School
Co-8th Best: Hyunje Park, Unjung Elementary School
Co-8th Best: Simo Lee, Seoul National University Elementary School
9th Best: Jiwoo Suh, Gaeil Elementary School
10th Best: Arthur Yeung, Munsang College Primary School
Best Speakers per Region/Country
Top 5 Best Speakers
Overall Best: Nao Takahashi, Jingumae Elementary School
2nd Best: Aya Shiotsu, Elementary School attached to University of Tsukuba
3rd Best: Maho Kobayashi, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin
4th Best: Nanami Goto, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin
5th Best: Yuzuna Saito, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin
Witness some of the glorious debate rounds that unfolded during the Asia Pacific Juniors Debate Championships 2024 below:
The Asia Pacific Junior Debate Championships is held annually and is recognized as the premier debating competition for elementary school students throughout the region. Supported by a wide array of schools and educational institutions, this flagship tournament continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of debaters.
This year, the following institutions took part in this record-breaking event:
Avenues The World School Online
Bakhyun Middle School
BASIS International School Guangzhou
Beanstalk International Bilingual School
Beijing Affiliated Experimental School of China Conservatory of Music
Beijing World Youth Academy
Beijing Xinxuedao Linchuan International school
Bongeun Elementary School
Branksome Hall Asia
British International School Shanghai
Calvin Manitoba International School
Chadwick International School
Chadwick International School Songdo
Chengdu Foreign Languages School
Chengdu Institute of Education Science Affiliated School
Chinese International School
Concordia International School Shanghai
Cornerstone Collegiate Academy of Seoul
Cranbrook School
Daedo Elementary School
Daegok Elementary School
DaeMyeong Middle School
Dalton School Hong Kong
Đoàn Thị Điểm
Dulwich College Seoul
Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong
Elementary School Attached to University of Tsukuba
Gaeil Elementary School
Haileybury Girls College
Hangzhou-Bay Bilingual School
Hanyang Elementary School
Harrow Haikou
Harrow International School Shanghai
Havergal College
Hongwen School
Huili School Shanghai
Hwarang Elementary School
IPEKA Intergrated Christian School
Jakarta Intercultural School
Jinan Thomas School
Jingumae Elementary School
Knox Grammar School
Korea International School
Korea International School, Pangyo
Korea Liberal Arts School
Kyungbok Elementary School
Kyunghee Elementary School
MLC School
Mokwon Elementary School
Munsang College Primary School
Myongji Elementary School
Nanjing Foreign Language School Fang Shan Campus
North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Oberoi International School
Pathways School, Gurgaon
Pathways School, Noida
Pymble Ladies’ College
Qingdao Cornerstone Bilingual School
Qiyi High School Affiliated to Tongji University
Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School
Ravenswood School for Girls
Reigate Grammar School
Saint Maur International School Japan
SCLS International Division
Seoul Academy
Seoul Apgujeong Elementary School
Seoul Daedo Elementary School
Seoul Daehyun Elementary School
Seoul Doseong Elementary School
Seoul Foreign School
Seoul International School
Seoul Kyongin Elementary School
Seoul National University Elementary School
Seoul POI Elementary School
Seoul Sinjung Elementary School
Seoul Woosol Elementary School
Shanghai American School
Shanghai Community International School
Shanghai Foreign Language School
Shanghai High School International Division
Shanghai Pinghe School
Shanghai Qingpu Pinghe Bilingual School
Shanghai Singapore International School
Shanghai SMIC Private School
Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
Shanghai United International School
Shanghai United International School HongQiao Campus
Shanghai United International School Qingpu Campus
Shanghai World Foreign Language School
Shanghai Xuhui High School
Shenzhen American International School
Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin
Shinseo Elementary School
Shiv Nadar School
Shore School
Shu Ren Primary School
Sinsa Middle School
Sookmyung Girl’s Middle School
Soong Ching Ling School
St Leonard’s College
St. Stephen’s College Preparatory School
Step by Step School
Step by Step School, Noida
Suncity School Gurgaon
Sydney Debating League
Sydney Grammar School
The British School, New Delhi
The Cathedral and John Connon Middle School
The King’s School
The Primary School Attached to Southwest University
The Shri Ram School Moulsari, Gurgaon
Unjung Elementary School
UWC South East Asia (Dover Campus)
Vanke Bilingual School
Vinschool Times City
Wellington College International Shanghai
Westwood Secondary School
Wirye Middle School
Xiwai International School
Yeoksam Middle School
YK Pao School
Yongsan International School of Seoul
Yooseok Elementary School
Youngdo Elementary School
Younghoon Elementary School
Zhuhai International School
As we reflect on the remarkable success of the Asia Pacific Junior Debate Championships, it is clear that this year’s edition has not only set a new standard for upcoming junior debate tournaments but also highlighted the incredible talent and enthusiasm of young debaters across the Asia Pacific region. EduDrift’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive debating community is evident in every aspect of this historic event.
We are grateful to all the participants, adjudicators, and institutions that contributed to making this championship a groundbreaking success. The dedication and hard work displayed by everyone involved have ensured that this tournament will be remembered as a milestone in the world of junior debating.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the continued growth and impact of the Asia Pacific Junior Debate Championships. As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s champions and finalists, we remain dedicated to supporting and nurturing the next generation of debate leaders.