Miss International 2018: Venezuela wins its 8th title!
Venezuela proved once again to be “alive and kicking” when the subject is beauty pageants: Mariem Velazco, one of the favorites for the crown, was the chosen one. The beautiful and charismatic beauty queen is Venezuela´s 8th Miss International winner!
Philippines, Ahtisa Manalo, GB´s #1 bet for the title, came close to winning: she was 2nd.
South Africa´s Reabetswe Sechoaro made history by becoming the best ranked black African beauty in Miss International history: she was 3rd.
Romania´s Bianca Tirsin, who had come from a 3rd place in Miss Supranational 2017, did quite well for her country again: 4th place, Romania´s best ever placement here. Bianca gave by far the best final 8 speech of the night, making many fans believe she would be the chosen one.
Closing the Top 5 was Colombia´s Anabella Castro Sierra.
Top 8 semi-finalists were Ecuador´s Michelle Huet, Japan´s Hinano Sugimoto, Spain´s Susana Sanchez.
The Top 15 quarter-finalists were Australia – Emily Tokić, Indonesia – Vania Herlambang, Madagascar – Esmeralda Malleka, Mexico – Nebai Torres, Paraguay – Daisy Lezcano, Thailand – Keeratiga Jaruratjamon, and Ukraine – Bohdana Tarasyk.
It was the first time that Madagascar made the cut in any Grand Slam pageant.
Continental Queens (voted by the candidates themselves):
Miss International Africa: South Africa – Reabetswe Sechoaro
Miss International America: Argentina – Rocio Magali Pérez
Miss International Asia: Singapore – Eileen Feng
Miss International Europe: Netherlands – Zoë Amber Niewold
Miss International Oceania: Guam – Diliana Tuncap
The show
Tetsuya Bessho and Niki presented the final show at the Tokyo Dome City Hall, in Tokyo. The stage was proper considering it´s Miss International, however, the production remained outdated, in a very long and boring show. Music can easily put those watching it to sleep. Although Miss International´s pre-activities in Japan are highly appreciated by the candidates, the final show urgently needs to be reviewed, revamped and brought to the present.
Japan is a country where technology and tradition are well-balanced, but untortunately this is not reflected on Miss International.
The winner
Mariem Velazco hails from San Tomé, Anzoátegui. She is 20 years old, 1.80 m-tall and works as a model. She represented Barinas at Miss Venezuela 2017, when she won the title Miss International Venezuela.
Congratulations to the deserving winner, we wish her much success during her year of reign!