Japanese stand-up comedienne Yuriko Kotani won this year's BBC Radio New Comedy Award for aspiring comics last Friday, beating five other finalists at the Comedy Store in London with a five-minute act blending humor and sarcasm.
"I'm speechless. ... This is so wonderful!" Kotani, 34, said after receiving the award.
Kotani won £1,000 ($1,510) and will receive special guidance from the BBC Radio Comedy department as well as a chance to appear on BBC shows.