Though their formal preparation for Worlds spanned a year, both Sprung-Keyser and Zoffer said that their preparation truly commenced several years ago, when they began their debate careers.

While Sprung-Keyser, whose father was a former Harvard debater, began debating in elementary school, Zoffer started debate as a freshman in high school.

“My parents got a note home about it and thought it was the perfect activity for a very argumentative fourteen-year-old,” Zoffer said.

Both debaters attribute a large part of their success to their team dynamic.

“We debate very similarly, and when it comes to competition we click extraordinarily well,” Sprung-Keyser said. “We complement each other in a technical way. Josh’s job is specific argument generation, while I focus on the strategy of the round as a whole.”

Zoffer added that he and Sprung-Keyser are “incredibly close as partners and friends,” a quality important for this style of tournament.

“Winning a tournament like Worlds requires being with your partner almost 24/7 for five days, so it’s an intense emotional experience that requires a strong bond,” he said.

The world champions both described earning the title as a “surreal” experience.

“Even if you have the skill and potential, you need so much help along the way, and Josh and I are extremely lucky in that regard. We’ve had the support of phenomenal coaches, former Harvard debaters, and teammates,” Sprung-Keyser said.

“We’re really happy and proud to bring the championship to Harvard—and really humbled.”

—Staff writer Maddie Sewani can be reached at maddie.sewani@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @maddiesewani.