The world's best technicians come together at the Hyundai World Skill Olympics

Hyundai Motor Company has successfully completed the 2019 Hyundai World Skill Olympics, which drew the company's top automotive service experts from around the world for an intense skills competition and camaraderie.

The biennial Hyundai World Skill Olympics is designed to improve technicians' skills through systematic training and sharing of up-to-date information in a uniquely interactive environment.

First held in 1995, the competition has been a much anticipated and celebrated congregation of Hyundai's expert technicians, who vie for top prizes and honours. Held at the Hyundai Cheonan Global Learning Centre in Korea this week, this year's iteration drew 117 participants, including 66 entrants and 51 observers from 51 countries.

By region, they hail from North America, Central and South America, Europe and Russia, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Ahead of and during the main event, the contenders went through a written test on products and repair procedures and two rounds of practical tests - firstly on the engine, electrical and chassis systems and components, and secondly on multi-systems diagnosis and repair.

The contestants at the final Olympics in Korea have survived through earlier preliminary eliminations at either the national or regional level. The ultimate goal is to enhance technical expertise at Hyundai service dealers around the world, which in turn boosts customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Two silver medals went to James George from New Zealand and Ilia Fedulov from Russia, while three bronze medals went to Hsin Chih Lin from Taiwan, Mohamed Aly from Egypt, and Jidhinraj Rajan Rema from Oman.

Other winner categories include section winners, excellent skills winners, superior skills winners and winners of the Award for Collaboration. 21 winners in all categories won a total of some $40,800 in prize money.

As part of the itinerary, all participants also took part in a cultural tour of Korea, visiting key tourist attractions in Seoul. They also visited the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang west of Seoul, one of four Hyundai Motorstudios worldwide that are interactive venues for showcasing the company's latest vehicles, technologies and history.