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India’s Manushi Chhillar is crowned Miss World in Sanya, China, on Saturday

Showbiz Correspondent
It’s back to the drawing board for the Miss Zimbabwe Trust after the country’s representative at the Miss World pageant Chiedza Mhosva was beaten by Miss India, Manushi Chhillar at a glitzy ceremony held in Sanya, China on Saturday.

Miss England Stephanie Hill was the first runner-up and Miss Mexico Alma Andrea Meza Carmona the second runner up while Kenyan beauty, Magline Jeruto, was crowned Miss Africa.

Miss World Zimbabwe Chiedza did not make it to the top 40 but gave a good account of herself during the preliminary rounds at the pageant. This was after she qualified for the semi-finals in the Beauty with a Purpose project category. Her project, in which she taught Doma girls in the Zambezi Valley how to make reusable sanitary pads, was included in the top 20 from the 112 projects, but alas could not make it. She once again lost to Chhillar.

Chiedza’s next option was the Head-to-head challenge which relied on votes via social media for one to make it to the top 40, but fell by the way side.

Chhillar became the sixth Indian winner of the long-running contest, following in the footsteps of Bollywood actresses Priyanka Chopra (2000) and Aishwarya Rai (1994).

Chhillar, 20, is a trained Indian classical dancer who also enjoys painting and hopes to open a chain of non-profit hospitals in rural areas, according to the Miss World website.

For Miss Zimbabwe Trust, it’s now back to the drawing board as they prepare for next year’s Miss World contest. At least this year, Miss World Zimbabwe was not blighted with much controversy like the previous two editions. This was certainly a step in the right direction as the Trust will plan for next year’s edition with a clear view and knowledge of what is needed in terms of preparation for Miss World.