After three months of training and preparation, the winners in the 2026 Mister and Mister Teen Universe International Jamaica competitions were announced early Monday morning.

Held before a capacity full audience inside the St Patrick’s Primary School in Waterhouse, the event saw five male competitors vying for the Mister title, while another five competed for the Teen title.

Twenty-one-year-old University of the West Indies Banking and Finance (with a minor in Economics and Entertainment and Culture Enterprise Management) student, Rahiem Edwards, won for the Teen division, while 26-year-old entrepreneur and business executive Rajae’ Graham took the Mister title.

They will both represent Jamaica at the respective international competitions in Panama later this year.

“This definitely feels amazing. I have always known myself to be someone who has the ability to win. And to be able to walk away tonight as the winner is a great feeling, especially knowing all the hard work that I put into it, it’s just wonderful,” Edwards told Observer Online shortly after the competition ended.

He said having a community supporting him was important in his win.

“I took away the importance of having a community. My friends were the backbone of this entire process and I really appreciate it. I have come to the realisation that having a community is important in personal growth,” Edwards disclosed.

For Graham, winning the Mister Universe International Jamaica title, he hopes to have a positive impact on young men.

“The mantra I live by is surpassing what you believe your limitations are. I think I surpassed my limitations because I was never good at public speaking and this competition helped me to overcome that fear. I hope that this platform that I have gotten tonight, I’ll be able to have some impact on the young men of Jamaica,” said Graham, who also noted that putting one’s best foot forward can reap rewards.

“This reaffirms the belief of believing in yourself and putting your best foot forward at all times. This suit that I am wearing tonight, I have had it for seven years. I wore it to my graduation and I wore it when I participated in Mr Irvinia at the University of the West Indies. And tonight, it has served me well.”

The coronation show kicked off shortly after 9:30 pm on Sunday, with the 10 contestants in their opening number. After introducing themselves to the audience, the young men appeared in swimwear and later in evening wear.

Singer Tai C, the son of By His Deeds reggae artiste Valton ‘VC’ Craigie, was among the entertainment attractions.

The judges had a difficult task narrowing down the results, and sectional prize winners were announced with Rajae’ Graham walking away with the Voice of Change Award for the Mister division and the Power Impression Award.

Other sectional prize winners were Best in Evening Wear (Mister) to Adonique Cole, Leshawn Freckleton for the Teen title; Best in Swimwear (Mister) Ackeem Lyn,  Leshawn Freckleton for the Teen title; Popularity Award (Mister) to Adonique Cole, Najhae Walters for the Teen title; Power of Impression Award (Teen) to Najhae Walters; Brothership Award (Mister) to Adonique Cole; and Voice of Change Award (Mister) to Rajae Graham, Tajay McDermoth for the Teen title.

Brayan Mendoza, the 2025 Mister Universe International titleholder from Venezuela was the special guest, who also sat on the judging panel. Other judges included public relations practitioner Lyndon Taylor, Shane Morgan (a director of the Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew franchise), and Wayne Bailey.

Edwards’ runners-up in the Teen division are Rajay McDermoth (second place) and Leshawn Freckleton (third place).

In the Mister division, second place went to Ackeem Lyn, while Adonique Cole finished in third place.