The World Cup champions had tired legs, and the World Cup trophy had tired arms. “[It feels ] like I won’t be able to use them for the next five years,” said 10-year-old Owin Osei after having his arms raised for much of Sunday afternoon with the weight of the world over his head. He was dressed as a seven-foot FIFA World Cup trophy for the Fanatics Fest costume contest in New York City, replicating the trophy’s golden human figures with outstretched arms that hold the globe. Owen Osei dressed as the World Cup trophy for the Fanatics Fest costume contest. (Photo courtesy of Carrol Chang) He wore gold to win gold – being selected as one of 13 finalists from over 1,000 entrants and then receiving the most online votes to win the Fanatics Fest “#1 Sports Fan Contest” and its grand prize. Osei ironically won’t receive a trophy for his victory, but he’ll get to see trophies won, champions crowned and banners raised. He gets two tickets to some of 2027’s biggest sporting events – along with roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations – including Super Bowl LXI, UFC 330, WWE SummerSlam, the New York Knicks’ home opener, and the home opener for either the New York Yankees or Mets. “Like every ticket you can imagine,” he said. He’ll also receive two tickets to the Fanatics Super Bowl XLI party, VIP tickets to 2027 Fanatics Fest along with an autograph or photo op from an athlete of his choice, and a solid gold two-toned diamond Fanatics pendant valued at $25,000.  Which part of the prize is he most excited about? “The pendant,” he said. Not surprising for someone covered in gold. Osei – from Harlem, New York – wore a costume designed and constructed by his mother, Carrol Chang, the day before he wore it. He had his face painted gold, wore a golden jumpsuit and cap, was wrapped in golden tin foil and then stepped into a homemade trophy that included an inflatable globe strapped to a hiking backpack. “He’s the most handsome trophy I’ve ever seen in my whole life,” Chang said. His mother has a golden touch for costumes, having designed them as a hobby since college. “I’d like to think I’ve been preparing my whole adulthood for this moment,” she said with a laugh. Owin poses for a photo in front of a display of the original World Cup trophy. (MIke Gavin) She normally creates do-it-yourself Halloween group costumes for her family of five, a trend that began when Owin was born in 2016. Two months old at the time, he was dressed as the U.S. president behind a podium, while Chang and her husband, David Osei, were secret service agents.   Another year the family went as a long CVS receipt. Last year they were KPop Demon Hunters. “They are all homemade,” she said. “It’s a creative process and source of joy.” That’s what made her decide to go for gold. “It’s World Cup mania,” she said. “So, I feel like World Cup has taken over New York, and the U.S., and it’s taken over us, too. And look at how good he looks in gold!” Family tryouts were held Friday to determine who would be the golden child. That title went to Owin, with younger sister Omi, 8, serving as his understudy, and youngest sister Olaya, 5, being what her mother called “too small but also too unpredictable.” 8-year-old Omi, left, and 5-year-old Olaya during family tryouts for the trophy costume. (Photos courtesy of Carrol Chang) Chang then spent 16 hours creating the costume. She wrapped the inflatable globe in gold tin foil and attached crinkled foil cutouts of the world’s continents. The bottom of the trophy was made of cardboard with painted green stripes. She then retrofitted the backpack to balance the globe over Owin’s head. “I went to bed [Saturday] night and this was not complete,” David said of the costume. “I walked downstairs [Sunday] morning and there was a trophy in my living room. She did an amazing job.” Getting the family and the trophy to the Javits Center in Manhattan for Fanatics Fest, a four-day sports fan convention, required two vehicles. “We had to call two Uber XLs, one for the people and one for the costume,” Chang said. “It was two separate mini vans that came.” Once they arrived, some were surprised to find the trophy was made of a person. Photo requests began in the lobby. Walking and escalators proved to be a challenge, so Owin was guided by his parents into the elevator and over to the FIFA area on the showroom floor. He watched nearly all of Spain’s victory over Argentina in costume, as family and friends applied occasional golden touchups using gold tin foil and tape.    “There was a lot of, ‘Hey, lift this. Hold this while I’m wrapping this part,’” Chang said. “Everybody helped.” Fans pose for a photo with Owin after Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup. (Mike Gavin) Tired as his arms were, Owin still waved them to pump up the crowd and to celebrate Spain’s goal in a 1-0 victory. After Spain secured the smaller, metallic World Cup trophy, fans flocked to the seven-foot replica for more photos and videos. One Spain fan even kissed the globe. “It felt overwhelming and exciting at the same time,” Owin said of reactions to his costume. Selfie-seekers were encouraged to cast their vote in the costume contest on the Fanatics app, with polls open for 24 hours. Among his competition was a Knicks’ championship parade float, a recreation of LeBron James’ block on Andre Iguodala in the 2016 NBA Finals, a Funko Pop, a Knickerbocker, a couple costume of a soccer ball and goalkeeper with a goal strapped to his back, and others. “I didn’t know we were gonna get so many votes,” Owin said. Owin leaving Fanatics Fest with his mother, Carrol, and father, David. (Mike Gavin) Owin and his family were around the dinner table Monday evening when they received a call from a Fanatics rep informing them he won – quite literally making him a World Cup champion.   “Everyone went crazy,” he said. “My mom went so crazy she actually spilled some water all over.” It was the second consecutive year at Fanatics Fest that the top costume involved the winner holding their arms above their head — with last year’s champ recreating Saquon Barkley’s famous backward hurdle. Owin was asked if he plans to wear his costume to any of the games he’ll be attending. “I can’t wear the World Cup trophy to a game where they’re giving away a football trophy,” he said. His mom and costume designer has a solution. “There were no soccer-related tickets in the package this year,” she said. “But one thing we’re hoping is that FIFA will notice our amazing rendition of the trophy, and hopefully they’ll give us tickets to the women’s World Cup next year.” Another member of the family might dress up for that one. “I was already thinking of making the women’s World Cup trophy,” Carrol said, ”and this time it would be my daughter Omi.” At least that trophy doesn’t have arms. ...read more read less