Dominican Republic's Joheri Mall becomes Miss World 2026: India's Nikita Porwal fails to make it to the top-20; Spain's Elisabeth is the runner-up

Joheri Mol Dominguez of the Dominican Republic became Miss World 2026. Opal Suchata Chuanshree, who was Miss World 2025 at the grand finale held in Nha Trang, Vietnam on Saturday, crowned her Miss World 2026. Spain's Elisabeth Rennes was the runner-up. Malaysia's Tanusia Chetty was the second runner-up. India's Nikita Porwal could not make it to the top-20. Next year, Miss World will be held in Tanzania. Last year, Opal Suchata won the title. The finale of 'Miss World 2025' was held on May 31, 2025 at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad. Contestants from 108 countries participated in the pageant. Thailand's Opel Suchata Chuangshree won the title of 'Miss World 2025'. Ethiopia's Hassett Darez was the first runner-up. Poland's Maja Klajda was the second runner-up and Martinique's O'Reilly Joachim was the third runner-up. After winning the Miss World title, Opel Suchata got emotional and said, "This is not my personal victory, but it is also the victory of young girls who want to be seen, heard and make a difference. I am proud to represent this legacy and make a real difference in this time of Miss World." Last year, India's Nandini Gupta reached the top-20 in the competition. However, she could not make it to the top-8. Nandini won the title of Top Model. In the finale, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood was awarded the 'Miss World Humanitarian' award for his social work. He was also part of the jury and asked the final question to Opal. Jacqueline Fernandez and Ishaan Khatter performed in the finale. A look at the history of 'Miss World' - not beauty, but bikini contest was the first 'Miss World' In 1951, English TV host Eric Morley organized a bikini contest to promote bikini at the 'Festival of Britain Celebration'. The aim was to increase the crowd. This was the only contest of its own, in which 27 models from many countries were to walk the ramp in bikinis. The foreign media named her 'Miss World'. Her first winner was Kirstin Margaretta aka Kiki Hakansson of Sweden. She wore a bikini during the crowning. As soon as this contest was broadcast on television, the Pope of that time strongly criticized it. He called it against religion and society. Many countries also refused to send their contestants. Due to the controversies, this bikini contest came into the limelight. Due to its popularity, Eric Morley registered this pageant under the name 'Miss World' and made it an annual pageant. Also Read These Controversies Related To Miss World - 1970 - Bomb Thrown On the stage during the finale of 'Miss World' on November 20, 1970, when the finale of 'Miss World' was going on at the Royal Albert Hall in London, suddenly 60 feminist protesters arrived there and started throwing flour bombs on the stage. The hosts of the show were horrified by this and the ceremony was stopped. They were upset with the performance of women in the competition. Earlier, before the ceremony began, a BBC broadcast van parked outside the hall was attacked with a bomb by a British terrorist group. Fortunately, there was no damage in both the explosions. 1970 - When a black woman became 'Miss World', there were protests It was only in 1970 that 'Miss Granada' from the Caribbean country of Grenada became the first black woman to win 'Miss World'. After the winner was announced, people started opposing 'Miss World'. Broadcast partner BBC also received many letters, opposing the result. Later, it was also revealed that the Prime Minister of Grenada, Sir Eric Geary, was part of the jury. The highest number of votes were received by Miss Sweden. However, under pressure from the Prime Minister of Grenada, Jennifer Houston was won. 1973 - The title of 'Miss World' was snatched away when the affair came to light. In 1973, Marjorie Wallace became the first US contestant to win the title of 'Miss World'. However, after 104 days of her crowning after many of her affair and kissing photos surfaced, the title of 'Miss World' was snatched from her. 1980 - Germany's 'Miss World' had to return the crown for a nude photoshoot Germany's Gabriela Broome, who was the winner of the 1980 Miss World pageant, returned the crown, saying that her boyfriend objected to it. However, it was later revealed that the title was taken away from her after nude photos were published in the magazine. 2000 - Several countries abandon the pageant when the finale was held in Nigeria 'Miss World 2000' was to be held in Nigeria, but contestants from many European countries boycotted the pageant. Before the ceremony began, religious riots broke out in the city of Kaduna, Nigeria, in which 200 people were killed. Finally, the ceremony was held in London. As the country changed, the contestants who had left the pageant also joined it. 2020- 'Miss World 2020' was canceled due to Corona. 2021 - 23 contestants tested positive on the day of the finale 'Miss World 2021' was scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico on December 16, 2021. Just a day before the ceremony, 17 contestants and technicians tested positive for Covid. They were quarantined and prevented from attending the finale. On the day of the ceremony, 23 contestants were found to be Covid positive, after which 'Miss World 2021' was postponed. After that, 'Miss World 2021' was organized in the next year 2022. 2025 - 'Miss England' accused the organizers before the finale, left the competition 'Miss World 2025' was held in Hyderabad, India. However, just a few days before the finale, 'Miss England' Mila Magee left the pageant, saying that the organizers were forcing her to entertain the financiers. She said that she felt like a prostitute in the pageant. Controversy erupted over Priyanka Chopra's victory Priyanka Chopra won the title of 'Miss World' in the year 2000, beating contestants from 108 countries. 22 years after her victory, co-contestant 'Miss Barbados' Leelani McConnell alleged that 'Miss World 2000' was fixed and Priyanka was given special treatment. Posting a video on YouTube, Leilani said that the sponsor that year was Indian cable station ZeeTV. In such a situation, Priyanka Chopra's gown looked better than the other contestants. In the swimsuit round, everyone wore a bikini, but Priyanka was given a sarong. At that time, she was applying a skin tone correcting cream, due to which she had stains on her body. To hide this, she wore a sarong. She used to get food in the room. The organisers used to discriminate against other girls due to which no one liked Priyanka.