Beijing, 18 Aug 2012: China’s Wenxia Yu was on Saturday crowned Miss World 2012 while India’s contender Vanya Mishra could only make it to the top seven.
This is the second time Miss China has been awarded the title. In 2011’s Miss World Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela handed over her crown to Wen at a glittering ceremony held in Dongsheng Fitness Center Stadium in Beijing.
The 23-year-old Wenxia Yu is a music student who says she wants to become a music teacher, Chinese media reported.
Wales’ Sophie Moulds was the first runner-up, while Australia’s Jessica Kahawaty was the second runner-up.
Though Mishra didn’t make it beyond top seven, she did bag the titles of Miss Social Media and Beauty with a Purpose.
Her dance to the track Dil cheez kya hai from the 1981 film Umrao Jaan in the semi-finals gave her a place among the top seven finalists.
Mishra was being touted as one of the probable winners and was expected to bring back the title home after a gap of more than a decade. Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra last won the title for India in 2000.
During the final round, the contestants were asked why they deserved to be the next Miss World to which Vanya answered, "I believe that the next Miss World should be a woman with a kind heart and humility, who wherever she goes, makes people feel that she is their own.
"Somebody who carries simple values in this complex world, somebody who believes in herself. And this is what I believe I am."