Participating in the KIDA Rookie Tournament was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences of my university life. Alongside my teammates, Bektursun and Srun, we had been preparing a lot since the beginning of the semester, did case buildings, practiced rebuttals, and strengthened our teamwork. The competition tested our debating skills, endurance, and determination. 

Our journey began on Friday, April 4th, with the first round held in Seoul. Despite the long travel from Daejeon and our tiredness, we could remain focused. The round went smoothly, and we secured our first victory, which boosted our confidence. The following day, we competed at the host school, Ewha University, and debated three rounds. Each debate was engaging, and we encountered strong teams and judges. After all of the rounds finished we were anxious wondering whether we would break to the octafinals. That evening, our debate society gathered for dinner and awaited the results. When the announcement came, we were thrilled as two of our society’s teams, including ours, had advanced. 

The next day was even more intense. With each round, the competition grew fiercer, and the teams became more skilled. But despite the intimidation, we pushed forward, using the feedback from judges and improving our strategies. The debates were nerve-wracking, but we were composed, supporting each other as a team. And then, after long rounds, we reached the Grand Finals, where we faced Hanyang University. We poured all our preparation and effort into our final performance, countering arguments and presenting our case persuasively. The moment before the final results was one of the most anxious ones in my life, but we won! Our team, SDS 1, became the champions of the tournament. 

To my immense pride, I was also awarded Best Final Speaker, a personal milestone that affirmed my growth as a debater. Receiving recognition for my speaking skills in such a high-pressure round was incredibly fulfilling. 

For me, this tournament was more than just a competition, it was a learning experience. We improved with each round, asked for feedback to improve, and adapted quickly. Meeting debaters from prestigious universities like SNU, Yonsei, and Korea University was intimidating, but it also motivated us to perform our best. Our victory proved that hard work, teamwork, and resilience can overcome even the toughest opponents. 

Winning the KIDA Rookie Tournament was an unforgettable achievement, and I am grateful for my amazing teammates and the support of our debate society. This experience has only fueled my passion for debating, and I look forward to future challenges with even greater determination. I want to share this victory with all of our SDS members who worked just as hard and improved immensely in the past month. Greater achievements are ahead!