After seven years of singing in pubs, 26-year-old Chen Chusheng took the first prize on Friday evening in the "2007 Happy Boy" contest, in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province.

26-year-old pub singer Chen Chusheng takes the first prize in the "2007 Happy Boy" contest in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province on Friday evening, July 20, 2007.

According to China's website Sina, Chen, who is good at writing original songs, polled nearly 3.32 million votes during the final battle.

He beat Su Xing, a 23-year-old R&B lover and returned student from Australia, who got over 2.57 million votes.

Chen's victory concluded the first year of the four-month-long weekly male singing performance show.

Audience members who had watched the final match may have been surprised by the bright party atmosphere, instead of the anticipated tension.

Chen Chusheng and Su Xing performed with already-well-known singers' Taiwan love song prince Qi Qin and popular pop duo Yu Quan respectively. However, the two were not eclipsed at all.

They also sung with former competitors in two groups: the icon group led by Su Xing and the strength group leading by Chen Chusheng.

The last round of the contest became the most affecting part: the stories of the two contestants and their words to their parents.

Finally, the Chinese version of "American Idol" revealed its winner's veil. The pub singer Chen Chusheng ascended to the throne of champion, with more text message supports.

The sober winner, who is the son of a common worker in Sanya city in south China's Hainan Province, doesn't have an overly attractive appearance, but his compelling voice, quiet stage demeanor and never-give-up spirit have touched many people.

"2007 Happy Boy singing competition" is a substitute for the successful TV program "Super Girls," a runaway hit over the last three years for the Hunan Satellite TV Station.

"2007 Happy Boy" winner Chen Chusheng performed during the final battle of the four-month-long weekly male singing performance show in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province on Friday evening, July 20, 2007.

Happy Boy winner Chen Chusheng (R) and the sencond prize winner Su Xing (L) wave to fans after the final competition in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province on Friday evening, July 20, 2007.

(CRI.cn July 21, 2007)