NONE OF THE competitors came out to play at the Laurie Dash Cosplay tournament at Flow Lim8tless Animekon 2017.
Animekon is an annual conference for comic lovers, animation fans and gamers held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, St Michael.
This year was the eighth staging of the event and it did not disappoint. Over 4 200 people came out to view the 120 exhibits, show off their handmade costumes or test their gaming abilities.
One of the highlights of the event was the Laurie Dash Cosplay Tournament, which attracted 51 competitors, the most in the show’s history. The lively crowd rewarded each competitor with applause, loud screams and cheers but the crowd favourites were evident.
It did not take much for Daniel Fitzwilliams, dressed as Streak from Batman And Beyond to woo the audience. He walked onstage with most of his costume covered with a black coat. When he threw back his arms and made the big reveal the crowd went wild in amazement at the level of craftsmanship hidden underneath. Connor Blades was another crowd favourite who waltzed onto the platform with a mini flask in hand. He was dressed as Rick Sanchez from Rick And Morty. As the genius scientist approached the end of the stage, he straight-pulled the alcohol in his flask and that sent the audience in an upheaval, screaming “Go, Connor, go”.
When Zachary Maynard came to the stage, he had the right moves and personality for his costume. Dressed as Marvel superhero Ant Man, he came out in miniature form but his energy and stage presence showed what he was made of.
Javon Green showcased one of the three original characters of the Night-Soldier 246. “Repping” the Bajan Flag, he created an ultramarine, yellow and black costume with the numbers 246 on his back.
Nikita Swann dressed as Game Of Throne’s Night King brought a trickle of winter with her on stage. With spear in hand, she withdrew her weapon and thrust her body forward as though she was going to hit Viserion (a dragon) with her deadly spear.
However, at the end of the intense battle, Christina Baboolal reigned supreme. Her first step on stage generated the loudest screams from the audience. Her costume was so impressive that it looked like it was literally taken from the video game Halo and given to her. She was dressed as Master Chief and she impersonated the character to a T.
Even her robotic walk and power stance were on point. When one of the judges asked her about the construction of her outfit she removed her helmet to speak. When she did that, the crowd, not expecting a female to portray such a powerful character, applauded and asked her to perform again.
She walked away with $1 200 and a photo shoot. Her outfit was created by Trinidadian costume company Cap Props. (SB)
