In the beauty pageant's 64 years of history, Spain never won the competition until the 23-year-old student stepped up.
- Dec 20, 2015
AceShowbiz - Spain won its first ever Miss World title through a 23-year-old student from Barcelona. Mireia Lalaguna Royo nabbed the crown on Saturday, December 19 night at the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, China where the beauty pageant was held for the 65th year.
Royo, who has a degree in pharmacology and is vying for a master's degree in nutrition, beat 116 contestants from all over the world. Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk and Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti won the second and third place respectively. Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie was placed fifth while fan-favorite Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra came in fourth.
"Without the love I have received from all of the people I have met here, and from all of the people wishing me well and supporting me at home, I would never have gotten to this point," Lalaguna said upon winning. "I want to show them and the world that I am deserving of the Miss World title and I hope to do everyone proud."
The 65th Miss World competition was marred with controversy when Canadian representative Anastasia Lin was banned from entering China. Lin believed the reason she had been disqualified was her public criticism against Chinese human rights abuses in the past and her practice of Falun Gong, a religion persecuted in China.
China has hosted the competition seven times before.
