Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament 2026

What we once believed to be insurmountable odds now feel unmistakably within reach.

At the Harvard Debate Council National Speech & Debate Tournament 2026—one of the largest and most demanding student debate tournaments in the world—Anahata Malur, Ria Sanghvi, and Anaya Deshmukh from Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School rose to the moment with extraordinary resolve, breaking into the quarterfinals against some of the finest young speakers on the global stage.

For three relentless days, this journey was defined not by comfort, but by commitment. From 8 PM to 8 AM, night after night, they worked, argued, refined, questioned, and pushed themselves beyond exhaustion—choosing growth over ease, discipline over doubt, and courage over fear. This is the unseen reality of excellence: long hours, quiet preparation, and the willingness to challenge oneself against the very best in the world.

In a moment of profound pride, Anaya Deshmukh was named Champion Speaker for the World Schools Debate —a recognition of rare clarity of thought, composure under pressure, and the power of reasoned voice in the most competitive of arenas.

But beyond rankings and awards, what truly matters is what these young thinkers discovered within themselves: resilience in uncertainty, confidence forged through challenge, and the understanding that global stages are not distant dreams—they are spaces they rightfully belong in.

We are deeply proud of Anahata, Ria, and Anaya—for their endurance, their integrity, and the quiet strength with which they carried their ideas into the world.

Harvard, thank you for the challenge and the learning.

And to these remarkable young debaters—this is only the beginning.