MGI 2023 prelims

 Top performers at Miss Grand International outdoor swimsuit challenge

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The route was long, but what made the traipse through it more difficult was the drizzle. The entire beachfront of Danang Mikazuki Resort & Spa was rain-swept; making the final leg of the swimsuit challenge risky as the floors became really slippery. 

But the lengthy route had to be shortened after Miss Grand Dominican Republic Skarxi Marie fell thrice along the way. The Miss Grand International had always looked for challenging routes to its outdoor swimsuit challenge. In years past, they tried descending from several flights of stairs (2020), atop a gangplank on a quay (2021), and also on another beachfront (2022). However, all those instances happened in fair weather.

Yet, despite this very challenging set-up, we would like to commend Miss Grand Angola Eugénia das Neves' performance. As the first candidate who had to walk through the entire "nine yards," she breezed through the challenge intact and unscathed. And this she did without hesitation or pause - just like a pro supermodel - with the wind and rain on her face and head.

Kudos, too, to Miss Grand Colombia Maria Alejandra Gomez and Miss Grand Costa Rica Kristell Freeman who finished the entire length without a hitch. Fortunately, Miss Grand Philippines Nikki de Moura also survived the gruelling challenge with only a slight blip. Her experience as a model must have helped her take control of the situation.

After Miss Dominica's fall, the organization must have decided to shorten the pasarela route and made the ladies be wary of the most slippery area. Yet, despite this, a bevy of beauties still slipped big time, especially those who threw caution to the wind. Among these were Misses Bolivia, Bonaire, Cambodia, Canada, Haiti, Paraguay, Thailand, and US Virgin Islands.

The other ladies who did well in the shortened route were:

- Marie Tavitha Kilonzo (Germany)

- Kitava Yvettlana Amankwah (Ghana)

- Arshina Sumbul (India)

- Ritassya Wellgreat (Indonesia)

- Andrea Zanettin (Italy)

- Garima Ghimire (Nepal), and

- Le Hoang Phuong (Vietnam)

Hosted by Roberta Angela Tamondong, the 69 candidates sported identical fuchsia bikinis from MGI Swimwear and the Bikini Passport labels. The 11th Miss Grand International coronation night will unfold on Oct 25 in Hanoi. Stay tuned!