Graphics by Krizza Enriquez (@kxxenriquez)
Written by R. Galvez (@the4ofustraveling)
The 71st Miss World is taking shape in a rather confusing way that most of us are unable to pinpoint as to who is really leading the pack. This is foreboding and we will end up surprised on who will walk away with crown. The format has changed and one can wonder how they came up with this. I can only imagine the debate being held closed door on how to go forward with a selection process that would satisfy all parties concerned.
So far, here are the confirmed Top 40 who all advanced via the fast track routes of challenges:
England – Jessica Gagen (Head to Head Challenge)
Nigeria – Ada Eme (Head to Head Challenge)
Zimbabwe – Nokutenda Marumbwa (Head to Head Challenge)
Botswana – Lesego Chombo (Head to Head Challenge)
Lebanon – Yasmina Zaytoun (Head to Head Challenge)
Croatia – Lucija Begić (Sports Challenge)
Martinique – Axelle René (Top Model Challenge)
Tunisia – Imen Mehrzi (Talent Challenge)
Then, there’s the Top 10 who made it to the Beauty with a Purpose Challenge but there is no confirmation on who among them will make it to the Top 40. Winning in any of the challenges does not mean that you are a frontrunner. For example, the current titleholder, Karolina Bielawska, didn’t win in any of these challenges back in 2021!
Again and again, we are reminded how difficult it is to predict Miss World. However, we are giving you all a preview of our final Hot Picks. We asked again our seasoned pageant experts on what can they read on their tea leaves. Here is the result:
1. Czech Republic – Krystyna Pyszková
2. Martinique – Axelle René
3. Turkey – Nursena Say
4. Trinidad and Tobago – Aché Abrahams
5. Botswana – Lesego Chombo
6. Lebanon – Yazmina Zaytoun
7. India – Sini Shetty
8. Brazil – Letecia Frota
9. Philippines – Gwendolyne Fourniol
10. Ukraine – Sofia Shamia
11. Indonesia – Audrey Vanessa Susilo
12. Nigeria – Ada Eme
13. Peru – Lucia Arellano
14. Zimbabwe – Nokutenda Marumbwa
15. Belgium – Kedist Deltour
16. England – Jessica Gagen
17. Nepal – Priyanka Rani Joshi
18. Slovakia – Sophia Hrivňáková
19. Puerto Rico – Elena Rivera
20. Tunisia – Imen Mehrzi
