Spicezee Bureau
Johannesburg: Dazzling beauty Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, was crowned Miss World 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre. This 23-year-old was also named the Miss World Beach Beauty earlier.
An HR Clerk by profession, the 23-year old blonde brought her country the Miss World title for the first time.
"Thank you South Africa, this is the most wonderful moment of my life," said Aldorino with tears in her eyes.
The first runner up of the contest was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran; and the second runner up was Miss South Africa.
Former Miss World and Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra was one of the judges in the contest whose final round saw a close contest between seven beauty queens.
Miss India Pooja Chopra managed the title of 'Beauty with a Purpose’. “I’m speechless at the moment, I don’t know what to say,” Pooja said on winning her title.
Injured yet determined, Pooja came on the stage wearing a cast. She was supporting the ‘Save the girl child’ initiative. The Indian beauty queen met with an accident and twisted her ankle just two days before the pageant night. She looked stunning in a white gown (with a matching cast!) as she posed gracefully on the stage.
‘Beauty with a Purpose’ was an initiative launched by Julia Morley, the President of the Miss World Organization, more than 25 years ago to support those in the most need.
The last time India won the title was in 2000 when Priyanka Chopra brought home the crown.
India has produced five Miss Worlds with Reita Faria winning the title in 1966, followed by Aishwarya Rai in 1994, Diana Hayden in 1997 and Yukta Mookhey 1999, apart from
Chopra.
Venezuela and India have produced the maximum number of Miss Worlds -- five each.
There was jubilation in Gibraltar after Aldorino's victory after the pageant that was watched by millions of people world wide.
"It's a wonderful achievement for her and for Gibraltar. She's a special lady who deserves her huge success... We'll give her a home coming fit for a queen," said Gibraltar Chief
Minister Peter Caruana in a congratulatory message.
Held in Johannesburg for a second consecutive year, the pageant opened with African drums and traditional dancers as the 112 contestants were introduced on stage with children carrying flags representing all the representing nations.
Apart from Miss Gibraltar, Miss Mexico and Miss South Africa who won the top three titles, the rest of the seven finalists were from Canada, Columbia, Panama, France.
It was the 59th staging of the Miss World contest and this year saw the largest number of contestants entering the
First Published: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 08:58