London: A Colombian car mechanic has been crowned as the best lookalike of US President Barack Obama, after being forced by his boss to participate in the offbeat contest.
Carlos Alberto Perez was announced as the winner after a fierce fight for the most debonair look during the contest in Cartagena, Colombia. “I came because my boss made me and the people I work with also told me to go,” the Sky News quoted him as saying.
The onstage competition was only part of the battle as the 32-year-old had to make a 1,000-mile journey to get there.
“It was a really long trip on the bus. The traffic was bad but I got here and I am happy, very happy with all of this,” he said. The contestants arrived at the venue seemingly escorted by men dressed as members of the Secret Service.
After taking to the stage, the five black-suited contestants sashayed and turned for the judges but Perez, from Barranquilla, took top prize as best lookalike of Obama.
“There are a number of characteristics we look for - skin colour and the eyebrows,” Silvio Carrasquillo, event organiser said.
But according to Carrasquillo, a perfect presidential head shape was what clinched the deal for Perez.
“There is part of Obama’s head like a little ball, in the back, and Carlos has the profile,” Carrasquillo said.
“He looks like Obama from kilometres away,” he added.
ANI