Originating in Finland in 2003 with 7 countries, the Karaoke World Championships are an international karaoke competition, featuring approximately 30 countries worldwide. [1]
| Karaoke World Championships | |
| History | |
| Genre | International Talent Search |
|---|---|
| Country Of Origin | Finland |
| Producers | Oy KWC Organisation Ltd |
| Started | 2003 |
| Final Venues | |
| 2003-2005 | Heinola, Finland |
| 2006 | M/S Galaxy Helsinki-Estonia |
| 2007 | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 2008-2009 | Lahti, Finland |
| 2010 | Moscow, Russia |
| 2011 | Killarney, Ireland |
| 2012-2013 | Lappeenranta, Finland |
| 2014 | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 2015 | Singapore |
| 2016 | Vancouver, Canada |
| 2017-2018 | Helsinki, Finland |
| 2019 | Tokyo, Japan |
| 2020-2021 | Online |
| 2022 | Nes, Norway |
| 2023 | Panama City, Panama |
| 2024 | Turku, Finland |
| Reigning Champion | |
| Ellie Butler, United Kingdom | |
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, Norwegian National Karaoke World Champion 2005 & 3rd place Karaoke World Champion 2005, Aina Gundersen, 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
edit
Australia
Angola
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Latvia
Kenya
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mexico
Morocco
Moldova
Myanmar
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
Sweden
Thailand
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam
2023 Participants
edit| R/O | Country | Artist | Round 1+2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  France
|
Oscar Hanrath Garcia | 127 | 33. | ||
| 2 |  Kazakhstan
|
Alisher | 147 | 72 | 22. | |
| 3 |  Panama
|
Anabella Iriza | 147 | 85 | 132 | 8. |
| 4 |  Finland
|
Saana-Eveliina Mannerlaakso | 138 | 28. | ||
| 5 |  Denmark
|
Jan Flemming Christensen | 128 | 32. | ||
| 6 |  Brazil
|
Filipe Anacleto | 160 | 84 | 14. | |
| 7 |  Germany
|
Kristian Nikou | 120 | 37. | ||
| 8 | Panama
|
Paula De Macedo | 136 | 77 | 21. | |
| 9 |  Colombia
|
Isabel Cristina Contreras Tordecilla | 130 | 31. | ||
| 10 |  Ukraine
|
Polina Topalova | 148 | 78 | 19. | |
| 11 |  Australia
|
Harlem Calleja | 133 | 30. | ||
| 12 |  USA
|
Talon Lewis | 164 | 89 | 120 | 10. |
| 13 |  Philippines
|
Marian Gel Pesigan | 167 | 81 | 16. | |
| 14 |  Ireland
|
Steven Kelly | 112 | 40. | ||
| 15 |  Costa Rica
|
Audiel Moises Cerdas Cordero | 144 | 82 | 15. | |
| 16 |  Canada
|
Renee Thompson | 150 | 86 | 128 | 9. |
| 17 |  Nigeria
|
Preye Stephanie Emberru | DNP | |||
| 18 |  Sweden
|
Carl Hanzie Hansson | 117 | 38. | ||
| 19 |  Faroe Islands
|
Eva Hjelm Aanesen | 121 | 36. | ||
| 20 |  Norway
|
Natalia Marín | 141 | 25. | ||
| 21 |  Mexico
|
Luis Villanueva | 158 | 88 | 134 | 5. |
| 22 |  United Kingdom
|
Ellie Butler | 169 | 90 | 146 | 1. |
| 23 | Panama
|
Anabell Del Carmen Avila Medina | 161 | 85 | 11. | |
| 24 | Sweden
|
Monica Lofgren | 124 | 34. | ||
| 25 | Colombia
|
Christian Tapia | 140 | 26. | ||
| 26 | Denmark
|
Linda Maria Csösz-Erdei | 142 | 23. | ||
| 27 | Panama
|
Yassuri Martínez | 173 | 81 | 16. | |
| 28 | Norway
|
Kjetil André Johannessen | 154 | 85 | 11. | |
| 29 | Philippines
|
Rafaella Joy Berso | 172 | 85 | 150 | 2. |
| 30 | USA
|
Mico Mauleon | 163 | 88 | 130 | 7. |
| 31 | Canada
|
Susan Attard | 149 | 86 | 136 | 5. |
| 32 | Faroe Islands
|
Edvin H. Niclasen | 136 | 29. | ||
| 33 | Kazakhstan
|
Zarina | 147 | 93 | 136 | 3. |
| 34 |  Kenya
|
Godfrey Kanyua | DNP | |||
| 35 | France
|
Maëva Bocque | 139 | 27. | ||
| 36 |  Iceland
|
Hannes Þórður Hafstein Þorvaldsson | 124 | 35. | ||
| 37 | Finland
|
Hanna Kanasuo | 142 | 78 | 20. | |
| 38 | Costa Rica
|
Denia Mairena Ponces | 117 | 38. | ||
| 39 | Mexico
|
Diego Mendoza Martínez | 173 | 88 | 136 | 4. |
| 40 |  Chile
|
Jairo Quezada | 148 | 80 | 18. | |
| 41 |  Belgium
|
Felipe De Souza Ferraz | 142 | 24. | ||
| 42 | Brazil
|
Sara Braz | 155 | 85 | 11. | |
| 43 | Nigeria
|
Kessy Doris Mbonu | DNP |
Previous winners
edit| 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 Aina Gundersen, U.S. & Norway |
| 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 |