Port-of-Spain: Twenty-six year old Karene Asche has been crowned Trinidad and Tobago's 2011 Calypso Monarch at the premier calypso competition, the Dimanche Gras Show in Port-of-Spain, taking the first prize of $2 million.
Asche beat an experienced line-up of competitors with her two songs, "Be Careful What You Ask For" and "Uncle Jack".
She has been in the competition four times and this is her first victory. She won the Junior Calypso Monarch Title on three occasions, the only person to have ever done so.
This year she also won the political category in the kaiso competition.
Asche broke down in tears as she arrived on stage at 2.13 am to receive the winning cheque from prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
"We are all happy that a young woman has captured the crown. Two million dollars – we are happy to give it to you," the prime minister said.
Just moments before, Peola Marchan was named Queen of Carnival for her costume portrayal, "D Jewelled Chandelier" and Wayne Madray was adjudged King of Carnival for his portrayal of "Pacific Tsunami".
The results were as follows:
CALYPSO MONARCH
1st – Karene Asche
2nd – Micheal "Sugar Aloes" Osuna
3rd – Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool
4th – Devon Seales
5th – Dexter "Stinger" Parsons
6th – Kurt Allen
7th – Brian London
8th – Tamika Darius
9th – Kizzy Ruiz
10th – Joanne "Tigress" Rowley
11th – Weston "Cro Cro" Rawlins
12th – Rodney "Benjai" Le Blanc
QUEEN OF CARNIVAL
1st – Peola Marchan – D Jewelled Chandelier – 416 pts
2nd – Gloria Dalsingh – Splendour of Lights – 414 pts
3rd – Kay Mason – Island Queen – 407 pts
4th – Roxanne Omello – Serpent Sorceress – 389 pts
KING OF CARNIVAL
1st – Wayne Madray – Pacific Tsunami – 421 pts
2nd – Owen Hinds Jnr – Battle of the Marabuntas – 420 pts
3rd – Curtis Eustace – Bozo d Legend Lives On – 416 pts
4th – Marlon Rampersad – Bedazzled – 394 pts
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