The Pan-American Debate Championships closed last night to thunderous applause in Hamilton City Hall.Canada’s proposition team took first place, with the Canadian opposition team coming second in the English division, while Team Mexico’s opposition came first in the Spanish division, and the Mexican proposition team took second.Bermuda Debate Society president Trevor Leitch hailed the tournament as a major coup for the Island — the biggest international debating event held in Bermuda since the Island hosted the World Debate Championships in 1997.Noting he’d been originally hesitant as to whether the Island had the resources to accommodate the teams from seven nations, Mr Leitch told the audience: “I have never, ever been so pleased to be so wrong.”Pan-American Debate Association president Kate Shuster praised the Island’s handling of the tournament, for which debaters arrived on Tuesday.“It’s not just the competition that’s broadened their horizons — it’s being in Bermuda,” she said.Along with the local team, delegates from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru and the US took part.Of the individual participants, Behbod Negahban came first in the English division, and Graeme Climie came second — both from Canada.Lucia Arce and Arantza Asali, both of Mexico, took the top slots for the Spanish-speaking division.Prizes were presented by Education Minister Nalton Brangman.From the Bermuda team, 16-year-old Saltus student Nicholas Pell said: “This event is used by many countries as a learning experience for young debaters, to prepare them for the next step of the world competition. Even if you don’t come out winning it, it’s worth it all.Bermuda’s team was split into three teams of three, mixing different schools and skill sets.Megan Sutcliffe, 14, of the Bermuda High School, said the tournament has been “go, go, go” since debating commenced, but the groups got a tour of Dockyard and a cruise courtesy of donors to experience the Island.“I loved the experience,” she said. “I love debating — and it’s amazing being able to meet people from all around South and North America.”