Austrian and Lebanese karaoke champs

HEINOLA, Finland (Reuters) - An Austrian man and a Lebanese woman have been crowned king and queen of karaoke at the world championships after treating a crowd in Finland to a Bon Jovi classic and the theme of the 1980s musical "Fame".


Thomas Strubler won the men's contest on Sunday with his version of "This Ain't a Love Song", while Samantha Sayegh of Lebanon confessed to being "very excited and very surprised" to win the women's crown with "Fame".


Entrants from across the globe at the second running of the event were judged on voice, rhythm, expression, presence and entertainment value during the four-day contest.


"We have enough turmoil in the world, we need this," said 61 year-old Irishwoman Margaret Graham who flew from Texas to watch her nephew perform in the town of Heinola, some 140 km (90 miles) from Helsinki.


The winners walked away with 1,000 euros each but the money was perhaps not the point.


"It is something where anyone can be a star for three minutes. Whether you are a good singer or not, if you love it you are fun to watch," said a 28-year-old representing the Czech Republic who identified himself as Johnny Nighttrain.


Despite Japan's reputation as the world centre of karaoke, a contestant from Japan was eliminated in the early stages.