SEOUL, January 6. /Dunyo IA/. Our young compatriot, Zinnura Karimova, a fourth-grade student at Volgok Elementary School in Gwangju, South Korea, won the grand prize at the XII National Bilingual Speech Contest in Seoul, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Zinnura’s journey to success involved multiple stages. She first earned a gold medal during the school-level competition at Volgok Elementary School and subsequently secured a silver medal at the regional level, organized by the Gwangju Department of Education. These accomplishments qualified her for the national competition.

In preparation, Zinnura dedicated several hours daily to speech practice in both Uzbek and Korean. This rigorous effort not only enhanced her linguistic abilities but also helped her confidently deliver her presentation on stage. Her story, titled "An Exciting Journey to Yeosu", was written and presented by her in Uzbek and Korean, earning high praise from the judges.

The contest featured 52 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, presenting their stories in 16 different languages. Zinnura’s bilingual performance, along with the meaningful presentations of other contestants, added significant international value to the event.

It is worth noting that Zinnura’s older sister, Laziza Karimova, also achieved remarkable success in this contest in 2023, securing second place. Laziza’s speech reflected her aspirations in international management and translation, emphasizing the importance of global communication. Her performance was a landmark event, being the first instance of an Uzbek girl delivering a speech in Uzbek at the competition.

The victories of Zinnura and Laziza Karimova have been celebrated as notable achievements in the history of Gwangju City and South Jeolla Province. Their accomplishments have not only highlighted their talents but also showcased Uzbek culture on the international stage, demonstrating their proficiency in both Uzbek and Korean.

The sisters’ achievements have been widely covered across various online platforms and social media channels in South Korea, further amplifying their recognition and impact.