The English Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition 2026
Hungary’s final was held in Budapest on 17th April 2026 at Vörösmarty Mihály Gimnázium (Budapest, Horánszky u. 11, H-1085) the theme fbeing: “The power to question is the basis of all human progress” (Indira Gandhi)’
The Winner – Unoka Csaba from Nyíregyháza and the runner up Fülöp Zsombor –from Verseghy Ferenc Gimnázium, Szolnok.
As the British Embassy was unable to attend, though they were supportive, the event was opened by Steve Jones who acted as Master of Ceremonies throughout. The main purpose of the first few minutes was to explain how the competition would be run but also to set a positive and supportive atmosphere for the competitors. An important innovation was the introduction, in 2015, of judging from former winners which has been appreciated by external judges and competitors ever since. Here the competition was judged by two members of Toastmasters, Henry Scullion and John Gerencser and Emma Papp the winner from 2025 (see below photos from her visit to the UK final last year). The competitors each received a medallion from the main sponsor and Director Steve Jones and a 5,000 HUF book token from Librabooks. The winner will attend the final in London on 17th July 2026.
The four junior speakers gave a speech on the same topic but lasting 3 not 5 minutes and were of a standard which would not have disgraced the senior competition. After their speeches they were given feedback from Steve Jones (MC, Director of ESU Hungary) and Horváth Viktória (winner in 2023).
We are very grateful for the continuing support of the Vörösmarty Mihály Gimnázium and their representative Tibor Szlauko for the competition as both the venue and as a sponsor. Their interest in the competition enables us to create an atmosphere which very much enhances the standard of the competitors. The support of Librabooks and Toastmasters also makes a huge difference to the overall competition. Toastmasters Henry Scullion and John Gerencser have also offered the winner coaching in presentation before he leaves for London. Librabooks have offered to assist with information sharing for the competition next year.
The senior competitors with judge Papp Emma (right)
The junior competitors with judge Viki Horváth (right)
Senior (IPSC) Hungary Final Participants – 17 April 2026 at 14.00
D’Silva Tóth Vénus – Xántus János Két Tanítási Nyelvű Gimnázium, Budapest
Unoka Csaba – Nyíregyházi SZC Széchenyi István Technikum és Kollégium
Dallos Molina Mária Viktoria – Szent II. János Pál Óvoda, Általános Iskola és Gimnázium, Budapest
Körtvélyesi Klaudia – Baksa Kálmán Két Tanítási Nyelvű Gimnázium Győr
Fülöp Zsombor – Verseghy Ferenc Gimnázium, Szolnok
Maráczi Zsolt – Comenius Két Tannyelvű Gimnázium, Székesfehérvár
Osvay Bertalan – Vörösmarty Gimnázium, Budapest
Zelovics Domonkos – Szigetszentmiklósi Batthyány Kázmér Gimnázium
Földi Bálint – Budapest II kerületi Móricz Zsigmond Gimnázium
Yin Mingyu – individual student (Budapest)
Viktoria Svitlychna – individual student (Tata)
Gali Tamás – BGSZC Pestszentlőrinci Technikum
Junior Competition 2026
Lukács Vera – Xántus János Két Tanítási Nyelvű Gimnázium, Bp.
Scheller Lara – Baksa Kálmán Két Tanítási Nyelvű Gimnázium Győr
Fan Xitian – Városmajori Gimnázium, Budapest
Zerczi Izabella Gréta – Verseghy Ferenc Gimnázium, Szolnok
Last Year’s Competition
Winner Emma Papp in London 2025
Above: Winners and organisers from the rest of the world
Above: Winners at the Globe Theatre
Above: The winners visited the National Gallery next to Trafalgar Square on their London Walk.
The winners name will also appear on the competition shield alongside the other winners from 2003 as shown below.
