Nine-Year-Old British Boy Wins European Gull Screeching Championship

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Local sources from United Kingdom: The Guardian, Daily Mail.
UK coverage: The Guardian.

Cooper Wallace, a nine-year-old boy from Derbyshire, has emerged victorious at the European gull screeching championship held in Belgium. Dressed in a full gull costume, Cooper impressed the judges with his accurate impersonation of a seagull, scoring an impressive 92 out of 100 points. This was the first time a UK contestant had participated in the competition, making Cooper’s win even more remarkable.

Cooper’s love for seagulls stems from a personal encounter when he was pecked by one. Despite finding them a bit scary and having his sandwich stolen by a seagull, he now considers them to be a really nice animal. Cooper’s fascination with seagulls led him to eat in the safety of a tent when at the beach.

The European gull screeching championship aims to reduce friction between seagulls and humans and promote sympathy for these often-maligned birds. The competition requires participants to screech and behave like seagulls, with judges awarding points based on the accuracy of the screeching and the acting.

Cooper’s victory in the junior category of the competition was hailed by the judges, who praised his ability to include several call types in his performance, resembling real seagull calls in an impressive manner. Jan Seys, a marine biologist and president of the judging panel, emphasized that the competition is not just about fun and entertainment but also aims to elicit sympathy for seagulls, which are an essential element of our coasts.

The news of Cooper’s win spread quickly, with various media outlets covering the story. The Guardian reported that Cooper’s school friends initially found his gull impersonation annoying but now appreciate his talent. The Daily Mail highlighted how Cooper’s parents were initially driven up the wall by his seagull impressions but are now proud of his achievement.

Cooper’s journey to the European gull screeching championship began when his mother, Lauren, noticed his talent and they were informed about the competition by a man who overheard their conversation. The family decided to travel to Belgium to participate in the fourth annual meeuwenschreeuwen, or ‘gull screams competition’. Cooper’s performance wowed the judges, earning him the highest score in both the youth and adult categories.

The success of Cooper’s gull screeching act not only brought him personal triumph but also showcased the importance of appreciating and understanding these birds. With his victory, Cooper has become an inspiration for other young gull enthusiasts and has paved the way for future UK contestants in the competition.

In conclusion, Cooper Wallace’s win at the European gull screeching championship has not only put the UK on the map in this unique competition but has also highlighted the need for empathy towards seagulls. Cooper’s passion for seagulls, born out of a personal encounter, has propelled him to victory and made him the first UK contestant to participate and win in the competition. His accurate impersonation of seagull calls and his commitment to promoting the understanding and appreciation of these birds have made him a deserving champion.