Nine children aged between seven and 15-years-old will get to showcase their drawing skills on the international stage.

This after they won the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest which now qualifies them to compete in the international rounds.

Among them was eight-year-old Opeti Chambers who won in the 8-11 years old category.

He with his parents and aunt travelled from Nadi to Suva for the official announcement.

So after two months of practice and long nights, the boy from Navo in Nadi made a breakthrough.

At five-years-old, Opeti’s parents began noticing their son’s interest in drawing which was why they encouraged him to compete.

Opeti’s father, Oswald Chambers said: “When I received a phone call from Toyota on Thursday, I was so happy that I started to cry for joy.

“It took him two months to practice by himself. I helped him in the best way I can because although I am not an artist I want him to become a good artist in the future,” said Oswald.

The competition began last October and ended earlier this month.

Asco Motors chief executive officer Craig Sims said the purpose of the global contest was for the company to give back to the community to innovate, draw and think.

He said the international judging will happen in the next 2-3 weeks.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Gloria Kang from Korea won third place in the seven-year-old and below category.

She attended the prizegiving ceremony with her grandmother, Maria Heo and mother, Olivia Kang.

They came to Fiji in 2014.

The first timer said she was inspired to join the competition through her father and grandfather who work for Goshen Motors Ltd in Raiwaqa Auto City.