The Rising of The Land of the Rising Sun’s Daughter

A tribute to Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007

All smiles after the victory. Riyo Mori, a 20-year old ballet dancer took the Miss Universe 2007 crown in a city that was supposed to assert its Latin flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


    

Not so long ago, somewhere in Japan, there was a grandmother who told her young granddaughter that someday she will be a Miss Japan. It seems that the grandmother saw in her granddaughter’s eyes the fighting spirit and the will to do great things someday. But somehow the grandmother’s vision proved to be a mere modest dream. The granddaughter not only conquered Japan. She eventually took the Universe and she’s Riyo Mori.

 

Riyo is just twenty years old but so many doors were opened to the young girl who was born and bred in a small village near the slopes of Mt. Fuji. There she grew with the dream of becoming a ballet dancer, thanks largely to her father who happened to be a dance school operator.

 

Dancing seems to revolve around the life of Riyo. It is where she learned a lot of things that made her a better person. It is in the dance school where she learned to be positive, to be happy always and to be patient. Of course dancing indeed – especially ballet – requires one to be positive, happy and most of all patient. Ballet was never meant for negative, sad and impatient people.

 

Riyo was both destined and made to be Miss Universe. She won in one of the most unlikely places in the world for an Asian to win. She managed to grab the attention of both the judges and the audience despite it was the Latinas and blondes who dominated the scene. Also, it came to pass that Asian delegates were strong this year shifting the attention at the last minute to the world’s largest continent.

 

The impact of Riyo’s victory couldn’t be more felt of such intensity as in Japan. The truth is that it’s been almost two decades since an East Asian was crowned as Miss Universe (in 1988 in Taipei courtesy of Thailand’s Porntip Nakhirunkanok and at that time Riyo Mori was just 1 year old!). It was also 48 long years since Japan had a Miss Universe (Akiko Kojima won in 1959 – the first Asian to do so).

 

On how Riyo managed to secure her victory is not an easy task of course. The Miss Japan Universe contest for example has been in limbo for years until the famed national director Ines Ligron took the helm. (You can check out our last year’s interview with Ines by clicking here). Ines managed to overhaul the Miss Japan Universe and initially she suffered some setbacks.

 

Ines made sure Riyo has all the support she needs. Riyo was rigorously trained. Her wardrobes exude great fashion sense and her gown used in the competition was from a top fashion house. The design was no doubt inspired by the kimono and it stood out from the rest. Riyo’s catwalk skills although exuberant at times bespeak her confidence and the will to win. She took the highest score during the semi-finals swimsuit competition not only because of her vivacious moves but also because she has one of the sexiest bodies in the pageant.

 

But – just like in any Miss Universe pageant – it was the final question that matters and it also bared what Riyo Mori is all about. Her answer clearly showed that she was and will always be a willing student, an obedient daughter, and a visionary. It also showed that she intends to be a caring mentor with genuine concern for the next generation.

 

For a year, Riyo will enjoy all the perks and privileges of a real star. She will travel around the world representing MUO and will be tasked to grace all its charitable projects. She will also enjoy a largesse of prizes that includes an apartment in New York, cosmetic products, all the wardrobes and an undisclosed salary.

 

For a young village girl, grandma should be very proud.

 

Hola Mexico! Riyo shows there’s no happier moment for a young girl than having a Miss Universe sash.

 

 

 

Oops! Zuleyka Rivera Miss Universe 2006 accidentally drops the crown but Riyo knows it’s hers and she will never allow anyone to jeopardize the crown’s true place and that’s on top of her head.

 

Photos: Miss Universe L.P. LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


    

 

 

 

 

 

 


    

 

 

 

 

 

 


    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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