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NEW monarchs were crowned in the Couva Carnival Calypso Competition 2025, with Joanne Gibson capturing the senior monarch crown while Katelin Sultan sang her way to the junior title when the Couva Carnival Committee (CCC) held the grand finals at the Couva Car Park on February 28.

Estherlita Lowmans placed second and defending champion Rawle "Ratel" Peters came third in the senior race. Jimean Burnett took second place and Lashawnna Lowmans third in the junior category.

Gibson, singing as Queen Voice, stole the judges’ favour with a masterful performance of her seasonal hit, Staying in Calypso, which underscored her preference for the calypso genre instead of soca. She gave several reasons for her decision to stay with calypso, including the many serious issues the artform tackles in society.