An opal-escent win: Thailand's Opal Chuangsri crowned Miss World in dazzling Hyderabad spectacle

Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri was crowned the 72nd Miss World after the grand finale held in Hyderabad on Saturday, according to a PTI report. She was crowned by 2024 Miss World Krystyna Pyszková.

Ethiopia's Hasset Dereje Admassu was declared the runner-up. India's Miss World contestant Nandini Gupta was eliminated before she could reach the top 8.

According to the organisers, after a month of purpose-driven activities, cultural immersion and inspiring challenges across Telangana, 108 contestants from around the world vied for the Miss World crown in a spectacular celebration of beauty, purpose, and unity.

After initial eliminations, the contestants were put through through a series of fast-track events such as the 'Head to Head Challenge', 'Top Model', 'Beauty with a Purpose', 'Talent', 'Sports', and 'Multimedia', before being narrowed down to 40 quarter-finalists. This was further shortlisted to a Top 10 in each continental group, halved to a Top 5, reduced to a Top 2, after which Opal emerged victorious.

The winner Opal is a student of International Relations. She has an interest in Psychology and Anthropology and claimed that she would one day like to be an ambassador.

Opal has volunteered for organisations working in the field of breast cancer, and has a special talent for playing the Ukelele backwards. She also keeps sixteen cats and five dogs as pets, according to the Miss World website.

Julia Morley CBE, Chairwoman of Miss World, headed the jury and announced the winner of the 72nd Miss World. 

The event also saw renowned actor Sonu Sood receive the prestigious Miss World Humanitarian Award. Sood was a member of the panel of judges this year, alongside Sudha Reddy, Dr. Caryna Turrell (Miss England 2014), and Julia Morley.

When he asked Opal what the journey taught her, she said:

“I’ve learned we must become people our loved ones look up to ... No matter how far we go, our actions should always speak louder.”

Lifestyle