Yale debaters argue the world over

By Emily Gold

They didn't finish on top of the world, but they did finish on top of the rest of the United States. Yale's debate team was the only American team to place two teams in the octofinals at the World Debate Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.

Yale's A team, Karen King, JE '97, and Charles Duhigg, TC '97, and its C team, Adam Chalom, MC '97, and Ben Olken, BR '97, were among the elite debaters who broke through to the "octos." The B team, consisting of Jeff Kulkarni, SM '97, and Tali Farhadian, ES '97, also did well, and was chosen to be filmed for a videotape profiling the debating.

"It's a big honor to break into the octofinals, so we were really excited to have two teams make it," King said. Four other American schools--Penn, Columbia, Brown, and Johns Hopkins--each had one team make the octofinals. King was one of the top eight women speakers at the tournament, and was chosen to take part in a special women's debating round.

It was the first time that any of the debaters had attended a world tournament. None of them knew what to expect, but all reported that the tournament was an enjoyable and fascinating experience. "I thought it was great," Olken said. "Traditionally, these tournaments are hosted by places who haven't run them before, but this one was very well-organized and well-done."

The debaters enjoyed the unique experience of debating against opponents from around the world. "The British style of debate concentrates much more on humor and presentation and wit than the American style does, and to see that style in action, and then try to respond to it, was really interesting," Duhigg said.

Chalom pointed out that American teams traditionally have difficulty breaking into the European dominated tournament. "We have to learn to adjust to the more oratorical European style when we go to World's. Also, there is generally an anti-American sentiment...on New Year's Eve, when it was our turn to sing the national anthem, everyone started throwing drinks at us!"

The world championship provided a chance to observe other debating styles as well as the opportunity to explore South Africa. The tournament was held at the University of Stellenbosch, an elite Afrikaans university. "The country itself is beautiful, but it was also very strange because the remnants of apartheid are simultaneously evident everywhere," stated Duhigg.

"We only saw a very privileged portion of South Africa, because we were at a university for upper-class Afrikaaner students," Kulkarni said."They definitely had an appreciation of the changes going on, and were realistic about how many changes still need to take place."

Soon to be finished with their Yale debating careers, the debaters all described a great sense of accomplishment from their numerous successes at the World's Championship. "In the world debate community, the name Yale is highly respected and admired for the ability of its students," said Duhigg. "I'm glad I was able to help supprt that reputation."

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