Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic was awarded the title of Miss World during a glamorous contest held in India on Saturday evening. Yasmina Zaytoun from Lebanon secured the position of the first runner-up among 112 contestants in the event hosted in Mumbai, India’s bustling financial and entertainment hub.
Expressing her joy, Pyszková remarked, “Being crowned Miss World is a dream come true. I am deeply honored to represent my country and the values of ‘beauty with a purpose’ on a global platform.”
Following the coronation where the reigning Miss World, Karoline Bielawska of Poland, passed the crown to her, Pyszková greeted the large crowd at the Jio World Convention Center with waves and embraced some of the other contestants.
The event served as a vibrant showcase of India’s diverse culture, traditions, heritage, arts, crafts, and textiles to a global audience. Participants adorned themselves in intricately embroidered skirts and blouses, dancing joyfully to popular Bollywood tunes.
This beauty competition marked a significant return to India after a hiatus of 28 years. Sini Shetty of India exited the competition after reaching the final eight. India boasts a strong history in the Miss World pageant, with six women from the country having won the title. This illustrious list includes Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra (2000), and Manushi Chillar (2017).
The 71st Miss World beauty pageant was hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and Miss World 2013 Megan Young from the Philippines.
Miss World holds the distinction of being one of the oldest international beauty pageants, originating in the United Kingdom in 1951, initially as a “bikini contest.” Notably, two of its most renowned winners hail from India: actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Miss World 1994) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Miss World 2000). Chopra Jonas conveyed her regards to Miss World owner Julia Morley and Nita Ambani, recipient of the pageant’s Humanitarian Award, through a video message during the event.
Pyszková assumes the title from the outgoing Miss World, Karolina Bielawska of Poland, whose tenure began in March 2022. (The absence of a Miss World pageant in 2023 was attributed to scheduling conflicts.)