Panama Worlds 2025

On December 27, 2024, the BDU travelled to Panama City, Panama to compete in the Worlds University Debating Championships. Three teams, including Anum Naseer and Ashton Higgins, Diego Castillo and Gabe Ritter, as well as James Afford and Jason Shan, competed in the week-long BP competition, while Anna Kim was judging.

The competition saw the BDU taking on familiar teams from the United States, as well as new opponents from Europe, Africa, and as far as Australia. It was great to meet and mingle with teams from all over the world, and better yet to debate them.

The tournament included 9 in-rounds, at the end of which the teams finished with 15, 15, and 13 points respectively, putting us just outside the threshold for a break to out-rounds (16 points). Following the Break Announcement the night of New Year’s Eve, the team were able to spectate friends from the US and afar as well as explore the city of Panama!

Overall it was an amazing experience and one that we will cherish for years to come. We will be back on the world stage again in 12 months when we take our talents to Sofia, Bulgaria - we look forward to chasing the break more competitively when that time comes!