Karaoke World Championships Explained

Karaoke World Championships
History
GenreInternational Talent Search
Country Of OriginFinland
ProducersOy KWC Organisation Ltd
Started2003
Final Venues
2003-2005Heinola, Finland
2006M/S Galaxy
Helsinki-Estonia
2007Bangkok, Thailand
2008-2009Lahti, Finland
2010Moscow, Russia
2011Killarney, Ireland
2012-2013Lappeenranta, Finland
2014Stockholm, Sweden
2015Singapore
2016Vancouver, Canada
2017-2018Helsinki, Finland
2019Tokyo, Japan
2020-2021Online
2022Nes, Norway
2023Panama City, Panama
2024Turku, Finland
Reigning Champion
Ellie Butler, United Kingdom

Originating in Finland in 2003 with 7 countries, the Karaoke World Championships are an international karaoke competition, featuring approximately 30 countries worldwide. [1]

USA holds 5 gold medals in the solo adult category. Australia, Panama, Lebanon and UK are tied for the second most solo golds, with three each.

National trials are conducted every year in most participating countries, with the winners competing in the international finals for the title of Karaoke World Champion. Singers from countries without a Nation Partner may enter through global video heats instead, going to represent countries who would otherwise not have a presence in the Worlds Finals.

In 2003-2017 KWC had separate categories for male and female contestants. The 2016 competition introduced the Duet category and in 2018 gender categories were removed. Extra categories in KWC have included KWC Juniors (2017) and Champions Round (2018).

Finland was the host country for the international finals from 2003 until 2005. In 2006, the finals were held aboard the M/S Galaxy whilst cruising the Baltic Sea from Helsinki to Estonia return. Thailand was the first country to host the finals outside of Finland in September, 2007. In 2008, the event returned to Finland, and was twice consecutively in Lahti Hall.[1]

In December 2005, the top 5 male & female champions of that year were invited to perform for the Princess of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand in the 'KWC Lights Up The Night' tsunami fundraising concert. The black tie concert was televised throughout Thailand and raised money for the 2004 tsunami victims.[1]

On April 6, 2007, Finnish National Karaoke World Champion 2005 & 3rd place Karaoke World Champion 2005, Ari Koivunen, Idols,[2] the Finnish version of the UK hit, Pop Idol.

The 2010 World Championships took place in Moscow, Russia between 23 September and 25 September at Forum Center.

The 2011 World Championships took place in Killarney, Ireland between 8 September and 10 September at INEC, Gleneagle.

The 2012 World Championships took place in Lappeenranta, Finland between 28 November and 1 December at Holiday Club Saimaa

The 2013 World Championships took place in Lappeenranta, Finland between 21 November and 23 November at Holiday Club Saimaa

The 2014 World Championships took place in Stockholm, Sweden between 13 November and 15 November at Solidaritet Arena

The 2015 World Championships took place in Singapore between 20 November and 22 November at the Boutique on Orchard Road with a record number of 31 countries participating.

The 2016 World Championships took place in Vancouver, Canada between 1 November and 6 November at Edgewater Casino

The 2017 World Championships took place in Helsinki, Finland between 14 November and 18 November at Telakka Pavilion.

The 2018 World Championships took place in Helsinki, Finland between 19 December and 21 December at Apollo.

The 2019 World Championships took place in Tokyo, Japan between 27 November and 29 November at Kanda Myoujin Shrine Hall.

The 2020 World Championships was conducted as an online competition [3] due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was held between 2 November and 7 November.

The 2021 World Championship was again an online competition held between 13 and 27 November.

The 2022 World Championships took place in Nes Kulturhus in Årnes, Norway, between 8 and 13 August.

The 2023 World Championships took place in Panama City, Panama, between 6 and 11 November.

The 2024 World Championships will be held in Logomo in Turku, Finland, between 7 and 12 October.

Participating Countries

2023 Participants

! scope="col"
CountryArtistRound 1+2Round 3Round 4Place
1 FranceOscar Hanrath Garcia 12733.
2 KazakhstanAlisher 1477222.
3 PanamaAnabella Iriza 147851328.
4 FinlandSaana-Eveliina Mannerlaakso 13828.
5 DenmarkJan Flemming Christensen 12832.
6 BrazilFilipe Anacleto 1608414.
7 GermanyKristian Nikou 12037.
8 PanamaPaula De Macedo1367721.
9 ColombiaIsabel Cristina Contreras Tordecilla 13031.
10 UkrainePolina Topalova 1487819.
11 AustraliaHarlem Calleja 13330.
12 United StatesTalon Lewis 1648912010.
13 PhilippinesMarian Gel Pesigan 1678116.
14 IrelandSteven Kelly 11240.
15 Costa RicaAudiel Moises Cerdas Cordero 1448215.
16 CanadaRenee Thompson 150861289.
17 NigeriaPreye Stephanie Emberru DNP
18 SwedenCarl Hanzie Hansson 11738.
19 Faroe IslandsEva Hjelm Aanesen 12136.
20 NorwayNatalia Marín 14125.
21 MexicoLuis Villanueva 158881345.
22 United KingdomEllie Butler 169901461.
23 PanamaAnabell Del Carmen Avila Medina 1618511.
24 SwedenMonica Lofgren 12434.
25 ColombiaChristian Tapia 14026.
26 DenmarkLinda Maria Csösz-Erdei14223.
27 PanamaYassuri Martínez 1738116.
28 NorwayKjetil André Johannessen 1548511.
29 PhilippinesRafaella Joy Berso172851502.
30 United StatesMico Mauleon 163881307.
31 CanadaSusan Attard 149861365.
32 Faroe IslandsEdvin H. Niclasen 13629.
33 KazakhstanZarina 147931363.
34 KenyaGodfrey Kanyua DNP
35 FranceMaëva Bocque 13927.
36 IcelandHannes Þórður Hafstein Þorvaldsson 12435.
37 FinlandHanna Kanasuo 1427820.
38 Costa RicaDenia Mairena Ponces 11738.
39 MexicoDiego Mendoza Martínez 173881364.
40 ChileJairo Quezada 1488018.
41 BelgiumFelipe De Souza Ferraz 14224.
42 BrazilSara Braz1558511.
43 NigeriaKessy Doris Mbonu DNP

Previous winners

2023 Main category
1st Ellie Butler, United Kingdom
2nd Rafaella Joy Berso, Philippines
3rd Zarina, Kazakhstan
2023 Duos
1st Luis Villanueva & Diego Mendoza Martínez, México
2nd Abdiel Josué Castillo & Ericka Rodríguez, Panama
3rd Filipe Anacleto & Sara Braz, Brazil
Viewer's Choice Winner
Marian Gel Pesigan, Philippines
2022 Main category
1st Keke Adiba, Indonesia
2nd Sia Chandler, USA
3rd Brenda Gaviño, Mexico
2022 Duos
1st Emely Myles & Eliezer Berroa, Panama
2nd John Wiest & Mike Smoroden, Canada
3rd Moose Hurskainen & Sari Maria Kankkonen, Finland
Viewer's Choice Winner
Emely Myles, Panama
2021 Main category
1st Shabrina Leonita, Indonesia
2nd Viktoria Seimar, Estonia
3rd Talita Martins, Brazil
Viewer's Choice Winner
Elisa Queiroga, Brazil
2020 Main category
1st Garvaundo Hamilton, USA
2nd Max Moraes, Brazil
3rd Jose de la Vega, Spain
Viewer's Choice Winner
Vadim Nedranets, Russia
2019 Main category
1st Jenny Ball, United Kingdom
2nd Katey Day-Reick, Canada
3rd Olivia Ruth, Indonesia
2019 Duos
1st Candace Miles & Kate Dion, Canada
2nd Aline Cunha & Rairo, Brazil
3rd Valerisse & Ishma, USA
Viewer's Choice Winner
Anjo Sarnate, Philippines
2018 Main category
1st Mikko Blaze Bordeaux, USA
2nd Karol Wilson, Panamá
3rd Lascel Wood, UK
2018 Duos
1st Tea Repo & Jyri Paavilainen, Finland
2nd Karol Wilson & Eliezer Berroa, Panamá
3rd Mel Arizpe & Laura Carrizales, USA
2018 Champions Round
1st Toni K. Laaksonen, Finland
2nd Jenni Taari, Finland
3rd Chyeé Howell, USA
Viewer's Choice Winner
Mafer Martinez, Guatemala
2017 Male
1st Pedro Matias, Angola
2nd Didieric Coste, France
3rd Andy Navarette, USA
2017 Female
1st Chyeé Howell, USA
2nd Emely Myles, Panamá
3rd Margarita Dvoynenko, Ukraine
2017 Duos
1st Rena Saito and Ryota Kaizo, Japan
2nd Beth Brennan and Mikko Bordeaux, USA
3rd Emely Myles and Ricardo Canto, Panamá
2017 Junior - Kids
1st Laura Ahonen, Finland
2nd Silja Walin, Finland
3rd Elina Ahonen, Finland
2017 Junior - Teens
1st Alina Karvanen, Finland
2nd Verna Salmi, Finland
3rd Emma Tyyskä, Finland
2016 Male
1st Ryota Kaizo, Japan
2nd Gabriel Much, USA
3rd Marc Motzer, Germany
2016 Female
1st Astrid Nicole, Panama
2nd Laura Moreau, USA
3rd Bruna Higashi, Brazil
2016 Duos
1st Konomi Rivers & Lance Moore, USA
2nd Astrid Nicole & Hiram Harris, Panama
3rd Heidi Joshua & Roger Feng, Canada
2015 Male
1st Muhammad Fairus bin Adam, Singapore
2nd Jeff Edwards, USA
3rd Michael Victorero, Canada
2015 Female
1st Elsaida Alerta, Canada
2nd Paula Danielsen, Faroe Islands
3rd Charo Gimenez Bravo, Spain
2014 Male
1st Anthony Montius Magee, USA
2nd Mitchell Freeman, Canada
3rd Kamsani Jumahat, Singapore
2014 Female
1st Diana Villamonte, Panama
2nd Miriam Kim, USA
3rd Monika Nike Adiba, Indonesia
2013 Male
1st Teruhisa Tanaka, Japan
2nd Michael Asovale, New Zealand
3rd Roman Leyba, Russia
2013 Female
1st Sarah Ramos, Spain
2nd Jenni Ylätalo, Finland
3rd Kimberly Evans, USA
2012 Male
1st Luis Boutin, Panama
2nd Ville Pyykönen, Finland
3rd Cornelius Andrews, USA
2012 Female
1st Raquel Pando, Spain
2nd Candice Skjonnemand, Australia
3rd Lilibeth Garcia, Philippines
2011 Male
1st Marc Hatem, Lebanon
2nd Joel Cruz, Philippines
3rd Vladimir Pak, Russia
2011 Female
1st Cassandra Jopp, USA
2nd Estefania Gralla, Spain
3rd Jerrica Santos, Canada
2010 Male
1st Sam Moudden, Finland
2nd Fedor Rytikov, Russia
3rd Georg Duschlbauer, Austria
2010 Female
1st Maria Saarimaa-Ylitalo, Finland
2nd Julia Kurileva, Russia
3rd Tami Marie, USA
2009 Male
1st Adrian Kenny, Ireland
2nd Sami Muhonen, Finland
3rd Elie-Georges Hatem, Lebanon
2009 Female
1st Aina Gundersen, United States
2nd Dina David, Australia
3rd Jenni Roth, Finland
2008 Male
1st Michael Bates, Australia
2nd Steven Delahunt, United Kingdom
3rd Medhanie Mezgebe, Sweden
2008 Female
1st Julie Gonnet, France
2nd Elaine O'Halloran, Ireland
3rd Jasmine Kara, Sweden
2007 Male
1st Lu Hee Wah (Kelvin), Malaysia
2nd Michael Moses Griffin, USA
3rd David Naughton, Ireland
4th Juha Karvonen, Finland
5th Gabor Erdélyi, Hungary
2007 Female
1st Julie Walter-Sgro, Australia
2nd Vanessa Cooney, Ireland
3rd Gabriella Lukács, Hungary
4th Tina Fischer, Sweden
5th Corina Susanna Mitchell, Austria
2006 Male
1st Mark Wilson, Australia
2nd David September, South-Africa
3rd Badri Ibrahim, Malaysia
4th Patcharaphol Atipremanon, Thailand
5th Harry Ross, Germany
2006 Female
1st Tham Hui Chyi (Vicky Tham), Malaysia
2nd Yao Dan, China
3rd Veronica Konnova, Russia
4th Helena Virt, Estonia
5th Michele Lynch, Ireland
2005 Male
1st Iyad Sfeir, Lebanon
2nd Danny Cummins, Ireland
3rd Ari Koivunen, Finland
4th Timothy Duff Morrison, USA
5th Paolo Verdade, Portugal
2005 Female
1st Rachel Browne, Ireland
2nd Saisunee Sukhakrit, Thailand
3rd Isabel Viana, Portugal
4th Maria Saarimaa, Finland
5th Kelee Buswell, Australia
2004 Male
1st Thomas Strübler, Austria
2nd Robin Berg, Finland
3rd Bret Harmon, USA
4th Sami Gabriel, Lebanon
5th Sami Muhonen, Finland
2004 Female
1st Samantha Sayegh, Lebanon
2nd Shirley Lowther, Ireland
3rd Cathrine Hovland, Norway
4th Ann Wikström, Finland
5th Marianne Furberg, Norway
2003 Male
1st Uche Eke, England
2nd Olli-Pekka Junttila, Finland
3rd Jan-Mikael Pennanen, Finland
4th Jorn Grepperud, Norway
5th Alex Styrna, Poland
2003 Female
1st Danni Cadby, England
2nd Säde Hovisilta, Finland
3rd Christine Aas-Hals, Norway
4th Noora Lehtinen, Finland
5th Susanna Gärdström, Finland

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.karaokeworldchampionships.com Karaoke World Championships Official Webpage
  2. http://www.mtv3.fi/idols Idols Official Website
  3. https://www.karaokeworldchampionships.com/2020/05/11/joint-statement-from-singa-karaoke-world-championships-and-kwc-canada/ Official Information on KWC 2020