Brandon barber crowned best in Canada

Brandon-based Mario Andino has been named Best Barber in Canada, earning a national title just three years after picking up a pair of clippers for the first time.

The Elevate Barbershop stylist outshone competitors from across the country in the Wahl of Fame’s 2025 Canadian Barber of the Year contest, which began on Instagram and ended with industry judges crowning him No. 1 last week.

Andino received a trophy, a $1,000 sponsorship in barbering tools, and brand ambassadorship.

Most importantly, he secured a fully funded trip to Chicago next year to represent Canada at a global championship, where the winners from 18 countries will compete for the world title.

The recognition feels surreal, Andino told the Sun.

“I never thought I was going to represent the whole country in barbering,” he said. “I started in my basement during COVID with cheap clippers, giving bad haircuts to friends and family. Now I get to represent Canada on the world stage.”

Joining Andino on the podium were two Toronto stylists: Diego Lauro, who earned first runner-up, and Ethan Quintela, who placed second runner-up.

The competition, run by the international barbering brand Wahl, began with open video submissions in which contestants were required to showcase their skills using the company’s tools.

From dozens of entries nationwide, only six barbers were selected to advance. Those six were narrowed down to three through online voting, where Andino gained strong support from family, clients and the Brandon community.

In the final round, judges chose him as Canada’s top barber for 2025.

Andino came to Canada from Honduras 14 years ago and has lived in Brandon ever since. He worked at Maple Leaf Foods before deciding to pursue barbering full-time, enrolling at H&Co Academy. After completing the nine-month program, he joined Elevate Barbershop in October 2024. In less than a year, he has gone from rookie barber to “national champion.”

The award reflects Andino’s determination, Elevate Barbershop co-owner Taher Banuga told the Sun.

“He came here straight out of school and has only gotten better and better. He’s hard-working, persistent and always willing to learn,” Banuga said. “He stayed late to make competition videos, pushed himself, and it paid off. To win against barbers with over a decade of experience is huge.”

The news broke in a fittingly memorable way: Banuga was cutting Andino’s hair when the winning message arrived. Both men dropped everything to celebrate.

“We were screaming and laughing right there in the shop,” Andino recalled.

The global finals in Chicago promise to be Andino’s biggest challenge yet. He will compete against elite barbers from North and South America, Europe, Asia and beyond. Each competitor must bring their own model and deliver their best cut live.

For now, Andino remains grounded. “Winning this doesn’t change how I see myself. I’m still at square one, working as hard as before. There are amazing barbers out there who inspire me to keep improving,” he said.

Still, the achievement has brought pride to his family in Canada and Honduras, who rallied votes and spread the word. “My mom, my sister, even family back home — they were all proud and telling their friends to vote for me,” he said.

With a trophy soon to be displayed at his station in the barbershop, Andino is already looking ahead. Beyond the world competition, he plans to enter more live battles, including one in Winnipeg next spring.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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