9-Year-Old Croatian Best Accordion Player in the World

Ante Selak (9), from the Croatian coastal town of Makarska, has just returned back from Canada where he has taken out first place at the 66th Accordion World Cup.

Selak, who is in 4th grade at school and also attends music school, returned to his native Makarska with a trophy, 250 dollars and the right to call himself the best accordion player in the world in his age group. More than 200 of the world’s best piano accordion players attend the 66th Coupe Mondiale, with Ante up against a dozen in his category. Ante has been playing the accordion for just two years.

“It was excellent. When I heard that I was the winner I was jumping for joy. Besides that moment, the best moment was performing at the closing concert which the winner always does,” said Ante to daily 24sata, adding that he has ‘no idea’ what he wants to do in the future.