MISS INTERNATIONAL 2012 FINAL HOT PICKS
1. USA
2. JAPAN
3. GUAM
4. DOMINICAN REP.
5. COLOMBIA
6. KOREA
7. PARAGUAY
8. PHILIPPINES
9. INDIA
10. NEW ZEALAND
11. SLOVAKIA
12. SRI LANKA
13. VENEZUELA
14. SINGAPORE
15. POLAND
16. SPAIN
17. UNITED KINGDOM
18. LEBANON
19. HAITI
20. ISRAEL
Well... it has been decided, and looks like the pulse of the public is saying that the American representative is going to take it all. Amanda Renee Delgado, is the woman to beat at the 2012 edition of Miss International. It seems that the only hindrance for her to clinch the crown is the recent rape incident in Okinawa involving two US navy personnel and a local girl. Politics aside, there is no stopping Amanda from winning her country's 4th Miss International Crown, and the first won since 1982.
Another deserving contender for the crown is the hometown girl, Japan's Ikumi Yoshimatsu. Thanks to the terrific hosting, worldwide fans have been filled everyday with endless updates about the pageant. It is a feat that has never been achieved before. Many are also convinced that it's about time that Japan wins the MI crown.
On third place, is the youthful delegate from the island paradise of Guam, Chanel Cruz Jarrett. Pegged as the sexiest in swimsuit in last week's hot pick, it will be a disgrace not to see her place. Winning the pageant will be a bonus.
Coming in fourth and fifth places, respectively, are the charming and inseparable delegates from the Dominican Republic and Colombia. Melody Mir is statuesque and is very much prepared to win this pageant. She is one of the most talked about delegates, and that look of hers in yukata is unforgettable. On the other hand, the very photogenic Melissa Varon is not going to make it easy for the other top contenders to outperform her. She has already proven her competitiveness, and it will just be a matter of the (judges') taste as to which position she'll end up to during the final night.
The natural charm of Lee Jung-bin, Miss Korea, pulled her further up in our ranking. Some of her less hyped predecessors were able to pull a decent finish during the past five years. So, don't be surprised if she - just like those who joined before her - will eventually take a spot away from the top favorites this year.
Another Latina favorite, Paraguay's Nicole Hubert is in seventh place. Her past pageant experiences may have surely helped her, and since this is her third Big 4 pageant, will luck finally be on her side? Nicole is a fighter and she will fight it fair and square.
Filipinos are very hopeful with their local girl, and Nicole Schmitz is not disappointing them. Armed with good looks, wit and vibrant personality, she is on eighth place. A runner-up position will be more than an enough, and winning the crown isn't far-fetched as well.
In ninth place is Rochelle Maria Rao, India's main hope for a crown this year. If the judges can only see what we have seen in her, she might just be able to win it all. The only factor that had pulled her rank down in our final hot pick is her sash. But, we really hope that this won't negatively affect her.
On tenth place is Miss New Zealand, Hannah Carson. For most of our forum followers, she is the most beautiful blonde delegate this year. She is even dubbed as the kiwi barbie doll. We expect her to be up there.
Slovakia's Denisa Krajcovicova is 11th. She is very much favored by the Missosology staff and we can see the reason why. In 12th place is Madusha Rushani Mayadunne, Miss Sri Lanka. Watch out for her in the individual speech competition because this beautiful lady representing the island nation in the Indian Ocean can make things turn in her favor once she opens her mouth.
Venezuela's Blanca Aljibes may have started strong, but she faded away slowly. There were better girls than her who represented her nation before, and this could be a sign that she might be ignored this year. In 2002, Miss Universe 4th Runner-up Cynthia Lander was denied of a semifinals spot, and we are afraid that Blanca might experience the same unfavorable fate. But, we are hopeful that her sash will work for her advantage come finals night.
In 14th and 15th spots are the delegates from Singapore and Poland. Leong Ying Mae is very photogenic, and her charming smile may just work in her favor. Rozalia Mancewicz, on the other hand, is a hit or a miss. She is beautiful in many still photos, but at times, she comes a little bit too strong for Japanese taste. But, who knows exactly what this year's judges are looking for. She might just prove us wrong, and we will welcome another Polish victory since they last won in 2001.
Wrapping up our Top 20 list are the delegates from Spain, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Haiti and Israel. Anyone of them would make a decent alternate for a semifinals spot.
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Probable 1-2 finish?
Ikumi Yoshimatsu and Amanda Renee Delgado in their National Costumes
