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Spain's Mireia Lalaguna Royo wins Miss World title

Spain's Mireia Lalaguna Royo wins Miss World title

Sofia Nikitchuk of Russia was the runner-up and Indonesia's Maria Harfanti took third place in the final.
19 Dec, 2015

SANYA: Spain's Mireia Lalaguna Royo was named the winner of the Miss World 2015 competition on Saturday night in the southern Chinese island resort of Sanya, an event dogged by controversy over China's refusal to allow Canada's entrant to attend.

New Miss World Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain reacts during the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP
New Miss World Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain reacts during the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo  of Spain waves after winning the new title at the Miss World Grand Final in Sanya. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain waves after winning the new title at the Miss World Grand Final in Sanya. —AFP

Sofia Nikitchuk of Russia was the runner-up and Indonesia's Maria Harfanti took third place in the final following a lengthy competition featuring 114 women.

Former Miss World Jolene Strauss and Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk hug during the grand final. —AFP
Former Miss World Jolene Strauss and Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk hug during the grand final. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain reacts after winning the new title. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain reacts after winning the new title. —AFP

Each had won the right to represent their country in a series of local and regional competitions.

The victory marked the first-ever win for a Spanish contestant.

Lalaguna is a 23-year-old model from Barcelona with a degree in pharmacology who plans to pursue a master's degree in nutrition. She placed first in the competition's top model contest and appeared to impress the judges with her public speaking.

Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain is crowned by former Miss World Jolene Strauss. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain is crowned by former Miss World Jolene Strauss. —AFP
Lu Yuan, Miss World China, reacts after entering the semi final at the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP
Lu Yuan, Miss World China, reacts after entering the semi final at the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP

Not present was Miss Canada, Chinese-born Anastasia Lin, who had been prevented from boarding her connecting flight to Sanya from Hong Kong last month after China refused her a visa.

Lin is an outspoken critic of Chinese religious policy and a follower of the Falun Gong meditation practice, which was outlawed by China in 1999.

Catharina Choi Nunes, Miss World Brazil reacts after entering the semi final. —AFP
Catharina Choi Nunes, Miss World Brazil reacts after entering the semi final. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain poses after winning the new title. —AFP
Mireia Lalaguna Rozo of Spain poses after winning the new title. —AFP

She said that after she won the Canadian title, Chinese security agents visited her father, who still lives in China, in an apparent attempt to intimidate her into silence.

China has hosted the competition seven times, starting in 2003, part of its attempts to project a more modern, outgoing image. However, the controversy over Lin's attendance illustrates the authoritarian communist government's determination to do so on its own terms, regardless of the cost to the country's reputation.

Neither Beijing nor the London-based Miss World Organization has commented on the controversy.

Albijona Muharremaj Miss World Germany attends the Miss World Grand Final in Sanya. —AFP
Albijona Muharremaj Miss World Germany attends the Miss World Grand Final in Sanya. —AFP

It was the second consecutive year that outside events intruded on the competition. Last year's contest in London was marred by the murder the month before of Miss Honduras and her sister in that country.

The first Miss World contest was held 64 years ago in Britain.

Miss World contestants perform at the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP
Miss World contestants perform at the Miss World Grand Final. —AFP

Comments

Syed Hasni Dec 19, 2015 11:57pm
They all look Stunning. I don't know who they do this. ? Congratulations to the winner anyways.
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Rajan Dec 20, 2015 01:49am
Miss Labnon can be Bollywood actress. She was so beautiful.
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Mast Dec 20, 2015 10:23am
Well Congratulations Ms. Rozo !!! you are stunning and chilling hot . You deserved it. Also congratulations to all the participants and you all look amazing. The country is beautiful specially Barcelona , and the people are beautiful. I wish you a very Happy New Year 2016,Peace Pakistani AMerican North Carolina USA
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Amer Rao Dec 20, 2015 06:56pm
Congratulations Spain.
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shaz Dec 21, 2015 08:59am
Looks this time selection made on merit rather than on the wealth of the country candidate belonged to...
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Shahzad Dec 21, 2015 12:29pm
Excellent Chinese effort for portraying a positive picture to the world which they indeed are.
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Gazanam Dec 21, 2015 03:15pm
Actual winner, is Miss Philippines.
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Rao Dec 26, 2015 01:09am
One of these days, a beauty from S.Arabia too!
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