Miss China Zi Lin Zhang was crowned Miss World 2007 at a glittering event at the Chinese tourist resort of Sanya Saturday, beating 106 participants. Zhang Zilin, from Beijing, is the first Chinese winner and the 57th Miss World.
"There are 1.3 billion people behind me," Miss China said during the 40-second interview stage of the contest, referring to her country's population. "If I win I want to become a link between the Olympic Games (in Beijing next year) and the Miss World Organisation." "I want to use the power and beauty of Miss World to support those in need," she said, speaking throughout in hesitant English, adding a few words in Chinese.
Miss Angola Micaela Reis, 18, was the first runner up while 19-year-old Carolina Mor n from Mexico was the second runner up at the gala Saturday night held in the Crown of Beauty Theater at Sanya in Hainan province.
Zhang was crowned by last year's Miss World, Tatana Kucharova, from the Czech Republic, after Julia Morley, chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and of the international panel of judges, announced her name as the winner.
Miss Angola Micaela Reis, 18, was the first runner up while 19-year-old Carolina Mor n from Mexico was the second runner up at the gala Saturday night held in the Crown of Beauty Theater at Sanya in Hainan province.
Zhang was crowned by last year's Miss World, Tatana Kucharova, from the Czech Republic, after Julia Morley, chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and of the international panel of judges, announced her name as the winner.
Valene Maharaj of Trinidad and Tobago and Annie Oliv of Sweden were the other two in the last five at the pageant, the second largest edition after Miss World 2003. India's Sarah-Jane Dias failed to make it to the semi-finals.
The delegates reached Sanya on November 2 and visited a number of popular spots in China.
Also see: (Video) Miss World 2007 Final Round
In the fast track awards, Zhang was the Miss World Top Model, Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aim e de la Cruz the Miss World Beach Beauty, Miss United States Abigail McCary the Miss World Sports and Miss Ghana Irene Dwomoh the Miss World Talent.
The delegates reached Sanya on November 2 and visited a number of popular spots in China.
Also see: (Video) Miss World 2007 Final Round
In the fast track awards, Zhang was the Miss World Top Model, Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aim e de la Cruz the Miss World Beach Beauty, Miss United States Abigail McCary the Miss World Sports and Miss Ghana Irene Dwomoh the Miss World Talent.
The Beauty With A Purpose title was won jointly by Miss Ecuador Valeska Saab and Miss Hong Kong Kayi Cheung.
Unlike 2005 and 2006 editions, this year's event did not have continental zones in the selection of the semi-finalists.
Unlike 2005 and 2006 editions, this year's event did not have continental zones in the selection of the semi-finalists.
The event, hosted by Chinese TV presenter Angela Chow and Latin American celebrity Fernando Allende, also witnessed some high voltage and touching dance performances.
One of the highlights was Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, introducing his grandfather's televised message on World Aids Day. It was followed by children from South Africa and a local school and all the contestants joining in singing the World Aids Day song.
Also see: (Video) Miss World 2007 Final Round
One of the highlights was Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, introducing his grandfather's televised message on World Aids Day. It was followed by children from South Africa and a local school and all the contestants joining in singing the World Aids Day song.
Also see: (Video) Miss World 2007 Final Round
The Miss World pageant reaches an estimated two billion viewers around the globe via television broadcasts.
