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Singer's daughter crowned Miss World
06/12/2003 17:26 - (SA)
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| Miss China Qi Guan, right, reacts as she is named second runner-up during the Miss World 2003 beauty contest. Looking on, from left, are Miss Philippines Maria Rafaela Verdadero Yunon, Miss India Ami Vashi, Miss Ireland Rosanna Davison, Miss Canada Nazanin Afshin-Jam. (Ng Han Guan, AP) |
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Sanya, China - Miss Ireland, Rosanna Davison, was voted Miss World 2003 on Saturday, beating the Canadian and mainland Chinese contestants for the crown at the annual beauty pageant, held for the first time in China.
Davison, a 19-year old blonde, is the daughter of "Lady in Red" singer Chris de Burgh and hails from Dublin.
"I'm thrilled and delighted. It is a great honour and I want to thank everyone who has supported me, especially my parents," Davison said in a statement released by Miss World organisers.
Davison was crowned by the reigning champion, 2002's Miss Turkey Azra Akin, and earned $100 000 in prize money after edging out 24-year-old Miss Canada, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, and China's Guan Qi, 21.
The first year student at University College, Dublin, became the second Miss Ireland to win the contest. She told the panel of judges her ambition is to finish college and pursue a career in the arts, fashion, sports, science and nutrition.
This year's contest was held in the resort town of Sanya in tropical southern Hainan province, and saw 106 beauty queens parade their looks and talents at the Beauty Crown Theatre.
Cheers at the packed 4 000-seat venue were loudest for Miss China.
Also receiving a rousing welcome was Hollywood martial arts film star Jackie Chan, who along with Candace Bushnell, writer of the US comedy hit series, "Sex and the City" was a member of a panel of 11 judges.
Once deemed as "bourgeoise decadence" this was the first time China held this type of international event, although beauty contests masquerading as modelling competitions and "cultural" events have gone on inside it borders for more than a decade.
In contrast to last year's debacle in Nigeria, which forced the pageant to move to London at the eleventh hour after sectarian rioting broke out, organisers faced nothing more troublesome here than an over-booked schedule and warm tropical breezes.
Miss World organisers said the broadcast reached a worldwide audience of around two billion people, putting it near the ranks of the Olympics' opening ceremony and football's World Cup.
Next year's Miss World will be held in China as well, although no location was announced.
- AFP
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