Sudden Else and Calypso Lilly have claimed top honours at the Antigua Carnival 2026 Junior Calypso Competition, winning the 5-12 and 13-18 age categories respectively. According to Antigua News Room, the competition was held at the UWI Five Islands Campus and drew a strong field of young calypsonians celebrating the island's rich musical tradition.
In the 5-12 category, Sudden Else took first place performing Friends and Family. De Archer followed as first runner-up with Standing on Our Own, while Jamario secured second runner-up honours with He Car in He Hand.
Sudden Else also earned the Best New Artist award for Friends and Family and collected the Most Improved award. Princess Faith was recognised as Best Performer for Keep De Faith, and Ruez was named Most Cooperative. Jamario received the People's Choice Award, Calypso Ace was honoured as Most Punctual, and De Royal Element earned the Leadership Award.
In the 13-18 division, Calypso Lilly captured the title with In This Small World. Ruez finished first runner-up with TV in Your Hand, and Kaiso Kall placed second runner-up with The Poor Man Struggle.
Kaiso Kall also swept the Best New Artist and Best Performer awards for The Poor Man Struggle. Little Cute was recognised as Most Punctual, Ruez received the Leadership Award, and Jah Nelly earned the Most Improved award.
The competition, part of the broader Antigua Carnival 2026 festivities, featured both judged and non-judged awards recognising performance quality, improvement, leadership, and participation among the island's emerging calypso talent.
