Royal College Student Omar Hazari Wins Global Public Speaking Title, Bringing Pride to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has achieved a remarkable milestone on the international stage as 19-year-old Omar Hazari from Royal College, Colombo, was crowned champion at the English Speaking Union (ESU) International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) 2026 held in London.

Hazari’s victory marks Sri Lanka’s second consecutive win at the prestigious global competition, following Sashane Dassanayake’s triumph in 2025, further highlighting the country’s growing excellence in public speaking and youth leadership.

The Grand Final, held at the Royal Institution in London, brought together national champions representing 45 countries and regions. Competing under the theme “Lighting One Candle,” Hazari delivered a powerful and deeply personal speech centred on resilience, empathy, and the impact of finding one’s voice.

Drawing from his own childhood experiences, Hazari spoke openly about overcoming a severe stutter and the challenges of bullying. He shared how the encouragement of supportive mentors helped him build confidence and inspired him to create an anti-bullying initiative at Royal College. The campaign has since reached more than 3,000 students, encouraging young people to stand against bullying and promote kindness.

His message focused on the idea that one individual voice can create meaningful change and inspire others to take action. His authentic storytelling, strong delivery, and critical thinking impressed the international judging panel, earning him the top award at one of the world’s most recognised public speaking competitions.

Hazari secured first place ahead of Romania’s Theodora Todoran, who was named runner-up, while Uganda’s Ian Karlton Muyimba finished third.

The ESU International Public Speaking Competition is considered the world’s largest public speaking contest, involving more than 100,000 students annually through national-level competitions and the international finals.

Omar Hazari’s achievement not only celebrates his personal journey of courage and determination but also reinforces Sri Lanka’s growing reputation in global youth competitions, showcasing the power of young voices to inspire positive change.