India, China only Asian countries with Misses World

Did you know that India and China are the only Asian countries so far with Miss World winners? One for China, Zhang Zi Lin (2007, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Top Model and third-place Beach Beauty awardee) and five for India, namely Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994, also Queen of Asia & Oceania and Miss Photogenic), Diana Hayden (1997, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimwear), Yukta Mookhey (1999, also Queen of Asia & Oceania) and Priyanka Mini Chopra (2000, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

That’s what Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas discovered in his research.

Here’s the rest of India’s Miss World record:

• Runners-up: Malathi Basappa, fourth (1972) and Parvathy Omanakuttan, first (2008, also Queen of Asia Pacific, Beach Beauty finalist and Top Model third place).

• Finalists: Rani Joan Jeyraj (1996, also Queen of Asia & Oceania and Most Spectacular Evening Dress) and Ami Vashi (2003).

• Semi-finalists: Ferial Karim (1962), Heather Corinne Faville (1970), Anjana Sood (1975), Kalpana Iyer (1978), Elizabeth Anita Reddi (1980), Ritu Singh, Sindhura Gadde (2005), Natasha Suri (2006, also Beach Beauty third place, Dress Designer Award third place and Miss Talent semi-finalist) and Pooja Chopra (2009, also Beauty with a Purpose and Sports finalist).

• Special Awards: Karminder Kaur-Virk, Best National Costume (1993), Sayali Bhagat (2004, Top Model semi-finalist), Sarah Jane Dias, Miss Talent finalist (2007) and Ummarapas Jullakasian, Beach Beauty semi-finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

And China:

...Aishwarya Rai (1994) and Diana Hayden (1997)...

• Runner-up: Guan Qi, second (2003, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Finalists: Bing Li (2001, also Queen of Asia) and Wu Ying-na (2002, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Semi-finalist: Yang Jin (2004, also Miss Talent second place and Top Model semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Emma Liu Duo, Designer semi-finalist (2006), Yan Ling Mei, Top Model semi-finalist (2008) and Yu Sheng, Designer Award finalist (2009).

The new Miss World will be chosen on Oct. 30 at the Beauty Crown Theater in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, with the Philippine bet, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-World Czarina Catherine Gatbonton (who left last Saturday) competing with 119 other beauties for the crown currently held by Gibraltar’s Kaiane Aldorino. It’s the fifth time for China to host the pageant (previously in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007).

Celso made the following list of how other Asian countries have fared so far:

Philippines, Runners-up: Pinky Amabuyok, fourth (1968); Evangeline Pascual, first (1973); and Ruffa Gutierrez, second (1993, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Finalists: Kate Manalo, Top 10 (2002); Mafae Yunon, Top 5 (2003, also Beach Beauty finalist); and Karla Bautista, Top 5 (2004, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Beach Beauty finalist and Miss Talent semi-finalist).

• Semi-finalists: Minnie Cagatao (1970), Eva Reyes (1972), Sarah Jane Areza, (1982, also Queen of Asia), Shery Rose Byrne (1986, also Queen of Asia), Cara Subijano (1994) and CarleneAguilar (2005, also Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Onelia Jose, Most Original Gown (1971); Louvette Hammond, Miss Talent (1978); Daisy Reyes, Miss Personality (1996); Anna Maris Igpit, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2006); Maggie Wilson, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007); and Danielle Castaño, Beach Beauty finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

...Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Mini Chopra (2000)

Japan, Runners-up: Midoriki Tokura, third (1956); Muneko Yorifuji, fourth (1957); and Teruko Ikeda, fourth (1962).

• Finalist: Chikako Shima (1974).

• Semi-finalists: Eiko Sakimurai (1960), Chie Nurakami (1961), Yuko Oguchi (1965), Naomi Kishi (1981, also Queen of Asia) and Eruza Sasaki (2009, also Miss World Sports).

• Special Awards: Erina Shinohara, Miss Talent finalist (2005), Kazuka Kondo, Sports semi-finalist (2006), Rui Watanabe, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007) and Mizuki Kubodera, Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

Korea, Runner-up: Yeon-hee Choi, first (1988, also Queen of Asia).

• Finalists: Yoon-young Choi (also Queen of Asia & Oceania) and Oh Eun-young (2005, also Miss World Asia Pacific and Beauty with a Purpose).

• Semi-finalists: Young-hee Lee (1960), Keum-shil Choi (1963), Eun-ah Lee (1965), Seung-yeon Lee (1993) and Kim Joo-ri (2009, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Miss Talent second place, Designer Award finalist and Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Hyun-Jin Seo, Best Gown (2001); Kyoung-jin Han, Miss Talent semi-finalist (2004); Sharon Park, Sports semi-finalist (2006); and Cho Eun-ju, Best Evening Gown and Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007).

Malaysia: Runner-up: Lina Teoh Pik Lim, second (1998, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Semi-finalists: Catherine Loh (1963), Shirley Chew (1979), Rahima Orchient Yayah (1994), Arianna Teoh Lai Poh (1997, also Miss Personality) and Deborah Priya Henry (2007, also Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Soo Wincci, Miss Talent finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008); and Thanuja Ananthan, Top Model finalist (2009).

Sri Lanka, Runner-up: Manel Illangakoon, third (1953, she’s the first Asian to join the Miss World pageant).

• Semi-finalists: Jennifer Anne Fonseca (1963), Yolanda Shahzadi Ahlip (1970) and Manohori Vanigasooriya (1978).

Taiwan, Runners-up: Grace Li, first (1961) and Linda Lin Su-hsing, second (1964).

Special Awards: Dorothy Chu Hi-Yui, Miss Talent semi-finalist and Top Model finalist (2004); and Jamie Lin Chieh-min, Miss Talent finalist (2008).

Thailand, Finalists: Prathumrat Woramali (1989, also Queen of Asia) and Tania Tiana Suesuntisook (1997).

• Semi-finalists: Pinnarut Tananchai (1968) and Jintana Jitsophon (1972).

• Special Awards: Metinee Kingpayome, Queen of Asia & Oceania (1992, she’s the first Continental Queen who didn’t enter the semi-finals or finals); Patinya Thongsri, Miss Personality (1994); Lada Aengchawadejasilpa, Miss Photogenic (2001); Dulaya Pralangisait, Fitness & Sports Finalist and Miss Talent semi-finalist (2004); Kanokkorn Jaichuen, Miss Talent finalist (2007); Ummarapas Jullakasian, Beach Beauty semi-finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008); and Pongchanok Kunklub, Miss Talent finalist (2009).

Hong Kong, Semi-finalists: Margaret Cheung Man-Yuk (1983), Pauline Yeung Bo-Ling (1987, also Queen of Asia) and Cheung Ka-yi (2007, also Beauty with a Purpose).

• Special Awards: Judy Denise Anita Dirkin, Miss Personality (1974); and Tracy Ip Chiu-Chiu, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2005).

Vietnam, semi-finalists: Nguyen Thi Huyen (2004), Mai Phuong Thuy (2006, Dress Designer Award semi-finalist) and Tran Thi Huong Giang (2009, also Top Model second place and Beach Beauty finalist).

Indonesia, Special Awards: Kristania Virginia Besouw, Sports semi-finalist (2006); Kamidia Radisti, Beauty with a Purpose finalist and Miss Talent finalist (2007); Sandra Angelia, Miss Talent finalist (2008); and Kerenina Sunny Halim, Miss Talent finalist and Beach Beauty finalist (2009).

Singapore, Semi-finalist: Pauline Pon Neo Cheong (1976).

• Special Awards: Maggie Siew Teen Sim, Miss Personality (1975); and Colleen Francisca Pereira, Beach Beauty fifth place (2006).

Mongolia, Special Award: Oyungerel Gankhuyag, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007).

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