Indian medical student, 20, is crowned Miss World 2017 in China – making her country equal with Venezuela as most successful nations in its history
An Indian medical student has been crowned Miss World following a glamorous event in China today, making her country the joint-most successful nation in the pageant's history along with Venezuela.
Manushi
Chhillar became India's sixth winner of the prestigious beauty show,
following in the footsteps of successful Bollywood actresses Priyanka
Chopra and Aishwarya Rai.
Chhillar's
win means that India and Venezuela have both won the competition a
record six times each over the course of its 67 year history.
The
20-year-old beauty winner is a trained Indian classical dancer who
enjoys painting. The Miss World website also says that she hopes to open
a chain of non-profit hospitals in rural areas.
Miss
India Manushi Chhilar wins the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya,
on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on November 18, 2017
Contestants hold hands and pose during the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya, Chinese on Saturday
During the competition, the contestants perform and try to wow the judges in the hope of being crowned the winner
Following her success, she tweeted: 'Thank you, everyone, for your constant love, support. This one's for India.'
She
has retweeted a number of different articles relating to success and
has become a trending topic on the social media site Twitter.
Among those to come out and congratulate her include Manohar Lal Khattar - the minister of her home state of Haryana.
She
was crowed the winner by last year's winner, Stephanie del Valle of
Puerto Rico, at the ceremony in the Chinese coastal city of Sanya.
Britain's Stephanie Hill and Mexico's Andrea Meza completed the other podium place finishes.
Miss
India Manushi Chhilar poses during the 67th Miss World contest (left)
while Miss Mexico lma Andrea Meza Carmona walks on stage during and
tries to impress the judges
Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del
Valle, from Puerto Rico (top) puts the crown on Miss India Manushi
Chhilar (bottom) during the crowning ceremony in China
Contestants dance during the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan
It
was the fifth time in 10 years China has held the prestigious
competition. At the previous time the compeition was held in Sanya,
controversy erupted after officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss
Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound China's Hainan
Island, saying she would not recieve a visa.
And last year, Lin was reportedly told not to speak by pageant bosses not to speak out about human rights abuses in China.
She did not compete in this year's event, with China represented by high school student Cynthia Menard.
