Waterloo team breaks at World Universities Debating Championship for first time since 1991

SE 2027 student Alex Zhu and CS student Advait Sangle advanced to the elimination rounds at the 2026 World Universities Debating Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria, placing among the top 48 teams out of 337 from universities across six continents. They are the first University of Waterloo team to "open break" at Worlds since 1991, and only the second in the school's history.

Competing as Waterloo A, Zhu and Sangle joined teams from the likes of Oxford, Stanford, Sydney, and McGill in the elimination rounds. The pair earned their spot through nine preliminary rounds, having prepared over the past year through the Sofia WUDC Fellowship Program, mentorship from international coaches, and practice rounds with debate societies across Canada and Asia — including the National University of Singapore during Zhu's fall 2025 exchange term.

The achievement caps a period of post-pandemic rejuvenation at the University of Waterloo Debate Society, which has grown its membership, expanded its training program, and posted strong results at McGill Intervarsity, Hart House Intervarsity, and other regional tournaments.

Congratulations Alex and Advait!