2025 Tournament of Champions

Vancouver Debate Academy delivered another remarkable showing at this weekend’s Tournament of Champions (TOC), with debaters earning exceptional results across both the Open and Rising Stars divisions. Our debaters showcased grit, growth, and teamwork throughout one of the most competitive events of the season.

Outstanding Results in the Open Division

The Open Public Forum team of Evan Guo and Luella Zhang had an impressive run, finishing prelims with a 5-1 record and advancing into the runoffs. Competing in one of the toughest pools of the tournament, they demonstrated sharp strategic thinking and remarkable consistency throughout the day. Though they concluded their journey with a close 2-1 decision, their performance solidified them as a formidable Open-division partnership and a pair to watch this season.

Strong Breakthroughs in Rising Stars

The Rising Stars division saw multiple VDA teams rise to the occasion.Owen Liang and Emily Huang advanced to runoffs after a weekend of disciplined debating and steady improvement. They, too, ended on a narrow 2-1, but their advancement and resilience highlighted tremendous growth throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, the team of Angela Zang and Miranda Le delivered an exceptional prelims performance, closing with a 5-1 record and earning an automatic advance into Elim 2 the following morning. Their strong showing placed them among the top performers of the division and reflected the dedication they put into preparing for this tournament.

Angela and Miranda ultimately concluded their TOC run in Doubles, marking a successful campaign and a major step forward for the partnership.

A Team Effort Worth Celebrating

Across all divisions, our students represented VDA with class, determination, and sportsmanship. Each round reflected hours of preparation and a deep commitment to improvement.

“I am beyond proud of these students and their accomplishments this weekend,” said Coach Stormee. “Their work ethic, their growth, and their passion for debate made this tournament truly special. It is a joy and an honour to coach such a dedicated team.”

Congratulations to All Our Debaters

Please join us in celebrating every student who competed this weekend. Their achievements reflect both individual excellence and the strength of the VDA community.

Let’s go VDA!!!