http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/22-to-vie-for-kings-and-queens-mas-titles-tomorrow-night-6.2.2244840.e1290810c2 *22 to vie for Kings and Queens mas titles tomorrow night* Twenty-two Carnival Kings and Queens will compete for the top prizes in this year’s final at the Dimanche Gras show at the Queen’s Park Savannah tomorrow night.  While the top ten masqueraders in each category from Wednesday’s semi-final were expected to make it to the final round, Guardian Media understands that two masqueraders got a second shot at the competition as there was a tenth-place draw in each category.  The change in dynamic was confirmed yesterday by National Carnival Bands Association president Mark Ayen after consultation with the chief judge.  This year’s final will feature almost an even mix of previous winners seeking to add to their trophy cabinets and relatively unknown contestants seeking to leave their stamp on the competition by securing their first crown.  In the Carnival King competition, record winner Curtis Eustace and his younger brother Ted are vying for their ninth and fifth titles, respectively.  The elder Eustace topped the semifinal round with his brother securing third place.  Eustace’s eerie presentation Spirit of “D” Gaspree Cave began with a ghoulish narration backed with an electronic dance music beat, which transitioned into Problem Child’s Carnival Jumbie.  Eustace, whose costume was among the largest in the competition, earned the loudest applause from the audience as he highlighted his trademark dance moves in front of the judges.  Not to be outdone, his brother Ted, who is vying for his sixth title, also impressed the audience with his costume Journey To Mayaro, which occupied almost the entire width of the stage.  The costume featured a gigantic standing cow surrounded by monkeys swinging from coconut trees and a pair of macaws with moving wings.  Reigning Carnival King Joseph Lewis also impressed with his serpent-themed Oberon—King of Fairyland and the Protector of the Fairies and placed fourth. Veteran masquerader Fareid Carvalho was the leader of the pack in the preliminary round with his “well choreographed” presentation Dralozo a Being From the Sun, which featured numerous backup masqueraders.  He was narrowly edged out by Eustace in the semifinal round by seven points. In the Carnival Queen competition, masquerader Roxanne Omalo, who secured her second title last year, is seeking to defend it with an ocean-themed presentation.  She will have to improve her performance in order to retain her title as she placed third on Wednesday night.  The semifinal round was topped by first-time participant Rana Kandoo with her costume Maiya-Goddess of Creation.  Priya Nagassar, who won her first title in 2023, placed sixth with her costume “Nandi” An African Queen. The winners of this year’s competition will each drive away with a brand-new Suzuki Grand Vitara sponsored by Lifestyle Motors.  Junior King of Carnival Antonio Rampersad’s mother, Laura, barely made it into the final as one of the two Carnival Queens who secured 10th place.  His father, Marlon, narrowly missed out on the final as he placed 11th.  2025 King and Queen Semi-final Results Queen of Carnival 1. Rana Kandoo—Maiya, Goddess of Creation—421 2. Cherry Ann Valere—Solaria Firebird of Light and Life—416 3. Roxanne Omalo—Sirena, Mistress of the Seas—415 4. Savitri Holassie—Beira, Queen of Eternal Winter—408 5. Nicole Hercules—De Tiger Butterfly—405 6. Priya Nagassar—”Nandi” An African Queen—401 7. Liesha McEachnie - Esprit De Liberte (The Hunted Jab from Caroni Sugar Estate) - 393 8. Shynel Brizan—Queen Adelaide Dison—389 9. Turona Rambharose—The Sunrise and Sunset Over the Sahara—388 10. Laura Rampersad—Queen Nefertiti—383 (tie) 10. Takeyah Fletcher-Marshall - Carnival Our Golden Jewel - 383 (tie) King of Carnival 1. Curtis Eustace—Spirit of D Gaspree Cave—443 2. Fareid Carvalho—Dralozo, a Being From the Sun—436 3. Ted Eustace—Journey to Mayaro—433 4. Joseph Lewis—Jaixue Shenlong—Guardian of the Universe—430 5. Raymond Mark—Oberon—King of Fairyland and the Protector of the Forest—426 6. Russell Grant—King Sampson—420 7. Ravi Lakhan—Midnight Robber—Lord of Darkness & Death—419 8. Keston Benthum—Notsek Bardo—416 9. Erron Sookdeo—An African Drummer—415 10. Franklyn Jagdeo—Spirit of an African Witch Doctor—411 (tie) 10. Arif Grantum—Jafar, Sorcerer of Agrabah—411 (tie) *By Derek Achong*