Omar Hazari wins world’s biggest student public speaking championship

Omar Hazari of Royal College won the English Speaking Union International Public Speaking Championship (IPSC) 2026 in London conducted by the English Speaking Union. 

The world’s largest competition of its kind, IPSC, involved over 160,000 students, aged 20 and under, from 45 countries and regions this year.

The Grand Final took at the Royal Institution, London, where 19-year-old Hazari was crowned champion. The theme of the event was Japanese poet Yosa Buson’s haiku, “Lighting One Candle.” Hazari qualified for the international championship after winning Sri Lanka’s National Public Speaking Competition. 

He represented Sri Lanka in London, where contestants were assessed on prepared and impromptu speaking, as well as their ability to engage audiences with clarity, originality and persuasive delivery together with rounds of questions and answers.

“Omar Hazari spoke with passion but with complete control and confidence,” said English Speaking Union Global Chair Miles Young. “He grasped his audience from the first minute and delivered one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard. His maturity, courtesy and modesty are a huge credit to his country,” he said.

Hazari’s speech winning speech, “Invisible”, centred around a bullying episode he experienced at the age of nine. Thanks to the love and support of others he was able to regain his confidence, recover from a severe stutter and go on to start an ongoing anti-bullying campaign in his school - a synonym he used to show how we never know the impact our small acts of kindness will have on others.

“Speeches come easy when you believe in what you say,” said Hazari. “I’ve been very privileged to be surrounded by people who have believed in me through the years, and their acts of kindness lit me. I’m grateful to God, my mother, my mentor and my coach Qadijah Irshad, my father who continuously supported me, my brother and sister who are my inspiration, my extended family, my alma mater Royal College and my teachers, ESU Sri Lanka their unwavering support, and the incredible members of the ESU UK team. This title belongs not only to me, but to everyone who was part of my journey, and I am forever grateful,” said Hazari.

A national sailing champion and international sailor, Hazari is no stranger to representing his country at international platforms. However, this win, he says, was different. “Standing on that stage with some of the world’s best young speakers in the world was humbling,” he said. “At sea, in a boat, there are always elements beyond your control. But on stage, it’s just you, your words and your wits. To hear Sri Lanka announced as the winner is something I will never forget,” said Hazari. “I’m planning on taking this experience to help

young people find their voice, find themselves... I hope I can make my motherland proud one day,” he said. ESU Sri Lanka President Elect Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya, in his concluding remarks at the National Competition 2026 said, “The determination and the ‘never-give-up attitude of Omar Hazari is seen when he became 2nd Runner-up in 2024 and thereafter 1st Runner-up in 2025. In 2026, Omar became the winner of the National Public Speaking Competition. I feel confident that Omar will bring pride to Sri Lanka by winning the International event in London. I wish him the best in his determination to succeed.” 

“His courage, determination coupled with his unruffled nature paved the way for his world winning achievement,” said ESU, Sri Lanka Tilak President Amerasinghe.

 “His world winning achievement has no doubt brought pride and honour to our motherland, ESU Sri Lanka and his Alma mater,” he said.

Sri Lanka also made history winning the competition in two successive years, with last year’s

IPSC has been won by Sashane Dassanayake.

Of the six finalists, Theodroa Todoran from Romania placed second with Ian Karlton Muyimba of Uganda third. Worthy runners-up were Olivia Wright representing Australia, Jordan Albert Williams representing Bermuda, and Konstantin Svilokos representing Serbia. Each finalist presented compelling speeches that highlighted their public speaking prowess and critical thinking skills.

Established in 1980, the IPSC is a cornerstone of the English-Speaking Union’s mission to

promote oratory, cultural exchange and international understanding. Building on that legacy, the ESU is also planning to launch a Commonwealth debating competition in the near future.