JEDDAH – The spirit of eloquence and leadership took center stage at Karam Al Balad on Friday, April 3, 2026, as Toastmasters International District 104, Division H, hosted its highly anticipated Annual Speech Contest. Titled “The Rise of Champions,” the event brought together the finest orators from Areas 18, 34, 37, and 38 to compete for the prestigious division titles.
The event was built upon the core values of R.I.S.E. (Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence), featuring a full day of captivating performances that ranged from side-splitting humor to profound, inspirational messages. Under the leadership of Division H Director TM Raihanath Saheer and Contest Chair TM Sameer Kunnan, the day’s proceedings were executed seamlessly. The program was elegantly guided by the Masters of Ceremonies, DTM Abdullah Filimban and Shareen Ashraf, whose energy and poise kept the audience thoroughly engaged from start to finish.The competition was fierce across all four categories, with speakers demonstrating the high caliber of communication skills fostered within the District 104 community.
Following the conclusion of the Annual Speech Contest 2025–2026, the results showcased a remarkable display of talent across all categories. In the Humorous Speech Contest, TM Sashi Thankarajah claimed the top spot, followed by TM Hassan Sandokji in second and TM Mohammed Ashraf in third. The Speech Evaluation Contest saw TM Azharuddin Mohammed take home the first-place trophy, with TM Aboobakar Syed Mansoor and TM Lubna Kasam Khatri securing the second and third positions, respectively.
The competition remained intense during the Table Topic Speech Contest, where TM Ashraf Meleveettil emerged as the champion, followed by TM Azharuddin Mohammed in second place and TM Saeed Abdullah Ali Al Ghamdi in third. Finally, in the prestigious International Speech Contest, TM Azharuddin Mohammed achieved another first-place victory, while TM Vineetha Pillai earned second place and TM Wafa Saleem rounded out the winners’ circle in third.
As the curtains fall on this year’s “Rise of Champions,” the first-place winners now set their sights on SATAC 2026, scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2026. They move forward to represent Division H on the grand stage, carrying with them the legacy of excellence that defines Toastmasters in the region.
