26-year-oldwoman wins Mrs. Russia beauty pageant

Moscow: A 26-year-old married woman from Rostov city has won the Mrs. Russia 2011 beauty pageant and will represent the country at the Mrs. Universe next month. Maria Yeroshenko, a model and the mother of a two-year-old son, pipped 10 other contestants in three categories - national costume, swimsuit and interview with a panel of experts.

"I am so happy and proud. I will put all my efforts in preparation for the next serious contest and carry this title with honour to represent Russia," Yeroshenko said. Yeroshenko will soon open her own prodigy acting theatre in Rostov, where orphans aged from four to 16 will perform. "It should open in September. I am happy to help children from orphanages study theatre arts for free," she said. The Mrs. Universe 2011 will be held in Bulgaria Aug 20-28. IANS