MGI 2018: pageant kicks off with the sash ceremony

Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil with the representatives of Mexico, Malaysia and Moldova.

Miss Grand International began in high style at the Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, where the sash ceremony took place on October 6th, along with an informal presentation of each national delegate. MGI President, Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil, spoke about what he expects from a winner in his contest:

"It does not matter the height or the type of beauty, the winner is not always the most beautiful physically speaking, the personality and what you show to us can make all the difference. Every day you are being evaluated and scored," he explained.

Argentina receives her sash from the hands of Maria Jose Lora, Miss Grand International 2017.

In a very pleasant atmosphere, the 70 candidates who have arrived in Myanmar (out of a total of 79) had the opportunity to speak. Some of them, like Cuba, Puerto Rico and Nepal, are television or radio presenters. The Cuban enchanted everyone with her radiant personality. Miss Paraguay is a chef and television presenter.

Some took the opportunity to demonstrate their talents by singing, such as Canada, China and Hong Kong.

With the help of Miss Grand International 2017, the beautiful and charismatic Maria Jose Lora, the candidates demonstrated confidence when speaking. Miss Perú, Maria Jose's compatriot, even risked a few dance steps to the sound of "Anaconda", a song from the Amazon region of Peru.

Some candidates have experience as a model, like Japan, Argentina, Albania and Cape Verde. Others, have participated in a series of international pageants, like Netherlands, Sweden, Brazil, Moldova, Finland and Portugal. For Indonesia, the pageant world is something new, yet, a dream come true, in her own words.

A happy Miss Venezuela introduces herself during the sash ceremony.

Teresa Chaivisut, vice-president of MGI, also spoke to the girls explaining the dynamics and activities of the pageant, and introducing the staff and other people who will help and promote them in this journey.

This is just the beginning of a beauty pageant that promises a lot: beautiful and intelligent young women in search of a dream and the opportunity to be the ambassador for Stop the War and Violence, MGI´s official cause.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY

Let the games begin!

Maria Jose Lora, Teresa Chaivisut (vice-president of MGI), and Ecuador.

GB photos / Henrique Fontes