NEW YORK, Aug. 31 -- While Mayor Zohran Mamdani was learning how to build a fire for s'mores at a family camping programme across town, a group of men who looked suspiciously like him were busy competing to be New York's best Mamdani impersonator.

About 200 people gathered near Washington Square Park on Sunday for the look-alike contest, hosted by Sonder, an app designed for Gen-Zers to connect and form friendships, US media reported today.

Nine contestants channelled the mayor through carefully chosen suits, facial hair, hairstyles, ties and, in the winning case, a New York Knicks jersey.

The man who pulled it off best was Amadeo Fusca, a 40-year-old Manhattan comedian and actor who beat about 10 other contestants to take home a US$10...