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Miss World, Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino, center, claps hands after she was crowned during the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino is crowned after winning the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg.
Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino claimed the title of Miss World 2009 on Saturday, defeating 111 other hopefuls at a glittering ceremony in South Africa.
"Thank you South Africa, this is the most wonderful moment of my life," said a tearful Aldorino, whose website describes her as a 22-year-old human resources clerk who loves dancing and spending time with loved ones.
Confetti rained down the stage as Aldorino, representing a British territory at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea with a population of less than 30,000, accepted the crown.
Mexico's Perla Beltran came second, with South African entry Tatum Keshwar taking third place.
The African-themed gala event at a Johannesburg convention centre attracted a multi-national crowd, waving country flags and cheering wildly for their favourite contestants.
Miss India, Pooja Chopra, a hot favourite with the crowd, got eliminated in the top 16, after winning the "beauty with a purpose" title for her charity work.
"The build up to this event has been phenomenal, the girls have had a time of their lives in South Africa," said Chinese television presenter Angela Chow, who hosted the show.
© 2009 AFP
President Jacob Zuma met the 2009 Miss World finalists at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria. He is seated next to (from left) Miss Russia Kseniya Shipilova, Miss SA Tatum Keshwar, Miss Croatia Ivana Vasilj and Miss Columbia Daniela Lalinde.
Photograph by: JAMES OATWAY
