71st edition of beauty pageant
Beauty pageant
Miss World 2023 was the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant, held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India, on 9 March 2024 .
At the end of the event, Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic was crowned by the previous winner Karolina Bielawska of Poland. This is the second win by the Czech Republic at the pageant.
Contestants from 112 countries and territories competed in the pageant. The pageant was co-hosted by Karan Johar and Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Shaan, Neha Kakkar, Tony Kakkar, and Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh performed in this edition.
Background.
Location and date.
On 13 February 2023, Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organization, announced that the competition will take place in the United Arab Emirates in May 2023. Morley added, "Further details to follow".
On 8 June 2023, the organization announced that the competition will move from the United Arab Emirates to India, with no reason given for the venue change. It was the second time the pageant was held in India; the first being Miss World 1996. On 28 September 2023, the organization announced that the pageant would be held on 16 December 2023 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi, India. It was later postponed until 2 March 2024, due to the elections in India.
On 19 January 2024, the organization announced the pageant would be held on 9 March 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The pageant began on 18 February 2024.
Selection of participants.
Contestants from 112 countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Four of them are runners-up after the withdrawal of the original contestant in their respective countries and territories, and two selected after another national pageant was held to replace the original dethroned winner.
Replacements.
Sreypich Teng was announced as Miss World Cambodia and competed instead of Sovattey Sary due to the delay of the pageant. Poelano Mothisi, the first runner-up in Miss Lesotho 2021, was appointed to represent her country as the original winner Refiloe Lefothane was unavailable due to continuing her studies abroad. Daria Gapska, Miss Northern Ireland was replaced by Kaitlyn Clarke, the reigning titleholder, as her reign had elapsed. Lucía Arellano was crowned as the new Miss World Peru 2022, replacing Jennifer Barrantes who was dethroned for not fulfilling the obligations stipulated in her contract. Barrantes has denied these claims and stated that there has been a conflict between her and the organization which has caused her withdrawal. Lucy Thomson, Miss Scotland 2022, was replaced by Chelsie Allison as her reign had elapsed.
Ruan Yue, Miss China World 2022, was stripped of her title for "inappropriate" behavior, and was replaced by Qin Zewen. Zewen was also stripped of the title for falsifying her education and employment qualifications. China held an extra pageant to determine a new representative, with Ke Xu Xin as the new winner.
Debuts, returns and withdrawals.
This edition marked the debut of Togo, and the returns of Australia, Bangladesh, Croatia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Martinique, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Romania, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
Morocco last competed in 1968; Liberia last competed in 2017; Germany, Lebanon, Lesotho, Martinique, and Zimbabwe last competed in 2018; while the remaining last competed in 2019.
Albania, Armenia, the Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, and Sint Maarten withdrew. Léa Sevenig of Luxembourg confirmed that she will no longer compete due to the cancellation of her national pageant. Divine Muheto of Rwanda also withdrew due to the cancellation of her national pageant following several allegations of misconduct from the organization towards the contestants. Ashley Carrington of Barbados, Xaria Penn of the British Virgin Islands, and Phonevilai Luanglath of Laos withdrew for undisclosed reasons.
Results.
Continental Queens of Beauty.
The Continental titles were given to delegates who placed highest in the final, aside from the main crown.
Challenge events.
Head-to-head challenge.
Instead of competing in groups, the contestants created a video highlighting a specific G20 topic. Twenty-five of the contestants were selected to compete in the final round at The Summit Room in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 23 February 2024, from whom five winners were selected. These five winners were automatically part of the Top 40.
Sports challenge.
The Sports Challenge qualifier round was held on 22 February 2024 at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, where the contestants competed in a beep test. On 23 February 2024, thirty-two contestants were announced to compete in the final round at the National Stadium, New Delhi on 24 February 2024. Lucija Begić from Croatia won the challenge, obtaining a placement in the Top 40, and the Blue Team from Europe won the overall competition.
Top Model challenge.
The Top Model challenge was held on 2 March 2024 at the Aurika Mumbai SkyCity. The contestants catwalked in two outfits in continental groupings, before five finalists were selected from each continent group to advance. Amongst these five finalists, one continental winner was chosen. An overall winner and runner-up were then chosen amongst the four continental winners. Axelle René from Martinique was chosen as the winner, obtaining a spot in the Top 40. The winners of the Best Designer Dress were also announced at the same event.
Talent challenge.
The twenty-three finalists in the Talent Competition were announced via Miss World social media platforms on 1 March 2024. The final fourteen finalists showcased their talent during the 71st Beauty With a Purpose Gala Dinner on 3 March 2024. Imen Mehrzi from Tunisia won the challenge, obtaining a placement in the Top 40.
Beauty With a Purpose.
The ten finalists were announced live via Miss World's social media platforms during the 71st Beauty With a Purpose Gala Dinner on 3 March 2024. Four continental winners advanced to the Top 40. 
Pageant.
Selection committee.
These included:
Contestants.
112 contestants competed for the title.
References.
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