Mumbai edition

 All's set for the 71st Miss World final show

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Finally, the much anticipated 71st Miss World pageant edition will unfold this weekend in Mumbai, India. After two postponements, the Miss World Organization will finally crown a new winner!

Miss World Philippines 2022 Gwendolyn Furniol made the Top 25 in the Head-to-Head challenge semifinal, and Top 23 in the Talent Presentation, with Tunisia's Imen Mehrzi winning the challenge, while Miss Northern Ireland and Miss Indonesia took up the second and third places, respectively.

Gwen was also one of eight semifinalists from Asia/Oceania region, making her part of the Top 32 in the Sports Challenge; as well as making it to the Top 20 in the Top Model Challenge where she wore a duo-toned cerulean ball gown from Ryan Ablaza Uson that reflected the hues of Philippine waters.

The 19 other countries in the Top Model challenge list were the delegates from Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Peru, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Scotland, Slovakia, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, and Turkiye.

The Best Designer Award recipients per continent were India (Asia/Oceania), Ethiopia (Africa),Czech Republic (Europe), and United States (the Americas). Meanwhile, the Continental winners were Axelle Rene (Martinique/ The Americas), Lesego Ghombo (Botswana/Africa), Sophia Hrivnakova (Slovakia/Europe), and Nursena Say (Turkiye/Asia & Oceania).

On the other hand, the Top 10 Beauty with a Purpose projects were awarded to Indonesia, Nepal, Turkiye, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Brazil, and Trinidad & Tobago.

The 2024 Miss World coronation night will unfold on March 9th, 7 pm Mumbai time (Mar 10, Manila time) at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, touted as India's "City of Dreams." Show hosts/presenters include Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Karan Johar, with performances from Shaan and Nena & Tony Kakkar. Outgoing titleholder Karolina Bielawska of Poland will crown her successor.