This is another historic page that must be recorded, as Charyn Sinthavathavorn, Thailand's representative, created a phenomenon that shook the world of singing on the global stage at the 28th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), held in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, in July 2026. She successfully claimed the title of 2026 Junior Grand Champion Solo Vocalist of the World — the junior solo singing world champion (under 15 years of age) — making her the first Thai person to win this title in the competition's 28-year history.
The 28th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) this year drew participants from a total of 54 countries around the world. In the solo singing category, Charyn Sinthavathavorn, a Grade 5 student from International School Bangkok and Thailand's representative, made history by bringing the world championship title back to Thailand.
The story behind this success begins with a small moment in the life of an 11-year-old girl. After changing schools, Charyn felt lonely, and her father and mother enrolled her in a Broadway Summer Camp during the school break, where she performed in Matilda. This was the starting point that introduced her to the world of Musical Theatre and sparked her passion for singing and performing on stage. From that point on, over just two and a half years, Charyn continuously developed her singing skills across Musical Theatre, Pop, Rock, and R&B, alongside her acting, until she was able to win championships at multiple domestic competitions before stepping up as Thailand's representative at WCOPA 2026 and writing history on the world stage once again.
In addition to the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 28th edition title, Charyn also delivered a standout performance at the same competition by winning 10 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals, along with 6 High Score Plaques, across both solo and group singing categories. She also received scholarships and support grants from the New York Film Academy and Watersound Entertainment to support her studies in the performing arts and to develop her potential at the international level.
The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), which has been dubbed the "Olympics of Performing Arts," is a global performing arts competition that brings together talented individuals from countries around the world in the fields of singing, dancing, acting, music, and various performing arts disciplines. Thai artists who have previously competed on this stage include Keng Thachaya Prathomwan (Keng from The Voice), Sathida Phromphiriya (Nan), Karn Jantong (Karn KPN), and Primapa Konorochanachawin.
As for Thailand's overall team results in 2026 — with 18 individual representatives and 2 group performance teams — Thailand captured a combined total of 119 medals: 47 gold medals, 30 silver medals, and 42 bronze medals. The team also won First Runner-Up in the National Parade of Nations and the Certificate of Excellence for National Director, reflecting Thailand's strength on the world performing arts stage.
Today, this can be counted as the success of one young girl — from a past where she joined a musical theatre camp simply to make productive use of a school holiday — to now, where Charyn Sinthavathavorn has risen to become the 2026 Junior Grand Champion Solo Vocalist of the World and has her name recorded as the first Thai person to win the junior solo singing world title at WCOPA in the competition's 28-year history.
