The Brazilian team awed the judges with their flamboyant stage show, but, in the end, it was the vocal harmonies of Hamilton's Kate Dion and her singing partner Candace Miles that won the day.
After three rounds of judging, Dion and Miles edged out the Brazilians by a score of 255 to 253 to win the gold medal at the 17th annual Karaoke World Championships in Tokyo.
"It was very, very close and impossible to call," Dion, still jet-lagged from her daylong flight home, told The Spectator Tuesday.
Dion, 47, and Miles, 26, of Brampton, were in Tokyo for 10 days, competing against teams from Mongolia, Finland, Faroe Islands, U.S.A., and Brazil.
The duo won the competition with renditions of "Stay" by Shakespears Sister, Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" and their closing showstopper "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand.
"Certainly our last song had a real step-out moment, but I think our second song 'Candyman' really solidified it for us," Dion said. "We had good choreography. We were well outfitted. We were in sync."
The competition was held in a facility adjacent to Tokyo's historic Kanda Shrine and filmed for television.
For their efforts, Dion and Miles received first place medals, framed certificates, trophies, new microphones, original Japanese art and a kimono set. Organizers also paid for the pair's flights and accommodation.
The Canadian squad made its strongest showing ever, with New Brunswick's Katey Day-Reick winning silver in the women's solo competition. Miles also placed sixth in the solo category.
Dion and Miles made it to the worlds by winning the national championships held in August at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary where the pair initially put together their act.
Next year, Canada will host the world championships either in Toronto, Ottawa or Calgary. Dion won't be eligible for next year's duets' competition, but she's keen on entering the solo category.
Meanwhile, Dion has to get over her jet lag so she can return to her job as karaoke host at Tracie's Place on Upper James (she works there Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as Thursdays at My Neighbourhood Bar on Concession).
"I'll definitely wear my medal for Tracie's when I go to work tomorrow," she said.
grockingham@thespec.com
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
The Brazilian team awed the judges with their flamboyant stage show, but, in the end, it was the vocal harmonies of Hamilton's Kate Dion and her singing partner Candace Miles that won the day.
After three rounds of judging, Dion and Miles edged out the Brazilians by a score of 255 to 253 to win the gold medal at the 17th annual Karaoke World Championships in Tokyo.
"It was very, very close and impossible to call," Dion, still jet-lagged from her daylong flight home, told The Spectator Tuesday.
Dion, 47, and Miles, 26, of Brampton, were in Tokyo for 10 days, competing against teams from Mongolia, Finland, Faroe Islands, U.S.A., and Brazil.
The duo won the competition with renditions of "Stay" by Shakespears Sister, Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" and their closing showstopper "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand.
"Certainly our last song had a real step-out moment, but I think our second song 'Candyman' really solidified it for us," Dion said. "We had good choreography. We were well outfitted. We were in sync."
The competition was held in a facility adjacent to Tokyo's historic Kanda Shrine and filmed for television.
For their efforts, Dion and Miles received first place medals, framed certificates, trophies, new microphones, original Japanese art and a kimono set. Organizers also paid for the pair's flights and accommodation.
The Canadian squad made its strongest showing ever, with New Brunswick's Katey Day-Reick winning silver in the women's solo competition. Miles also placed sixth in the solo category.
Dion and Miles made it to the worlds by winning the national championships held in August at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary where the pair initially put together their act.
Next year, Canada will host the world championships either in Toronto, Ottawa or Calgary. Dion won't be eligible for next year's duets' competition, but she's keen on entering the solo category.
Meanwhile, Dion has to get over her jet lag so she can return to her job as karaoke host at Tracie's Place on Upper James (she works there Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as Thursdays at My Neighbourhood Bar on Concession).
"I'll definitely wear my medal for Tracie's when I go to work tomorrow," she said.
grockingham@thespec.com
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
The Brazilian team awed the judges with their flamboyant stage show, but, in the end, it was the vocal harmonies of Hamilton's Kate Dion and her singing partner Candace Miles that won the day.
After three rounds of judging, Dion and Miles edged out the Brazilians by a score of 255 to 253 to win the gold medal at the 17th annual Karaoke World Championships in Tokyo.
"It was very, very close and impossible to call," Dion, still jet-lagged from her daylong flight home, told The Spectator Tuesday.
Dion, 47, and Miles, 26, of Brampton, were in Tokyo for 10 days, competing against teams from Mongolia, Finland, Faroe Islands, U.S.A., and Brazil.
The duo won the competition with renditions of "Stay" by Shakespears Sister, Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" and their closing showstopper "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand.
"Certainly our last song had a real step-out moment, but I think our second song 'Candyman' really solidified it for us," Dion said. "We had good choreography. We were well outfitted. We were in sync."
The competition was held in a facility adjacent to Tokyo's historic Kanda Shrine and filmed for television.
For their efforts, Dion and Miles received first place medals, framed certificates, trophies, new microphones, original Japanese art and a kimono set. Organizers also paid for the pair's flights and accommodation.
The Canadian squad made its strongest showing ever, with New Brunswick's Katey Day-Reick winning silver in the women's solo competition. Miles also placed sixth in the solo category.
Dion and Miles made it to the worlds by winning the national championships held in August at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary where the pair initially put together their act.
Next year, Canada will host the world championships either in Toronto, Ottawa or Calgary. Dion won't be eligible for next year's duets' competition, but she's keen on entering the solo category.
Meanwhile, Dion has to get over her jet lag so she can return to her job as karaoke host at Tracie's Place on Upper James (she works there Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as Thursdays at My Neighbourhood Bar on Concession).
"I'll definitely wear my medal for Tracie's when I go to work tomorrow," she said.
grockingham@thespec.com
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec
905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec