AFP reports Strauss clasped her hands together in surprise and was presented with the sash by the outgoing Miss World, Megan Young of the Philippines. The medical student sat in the winner’s throne as the 2013 champion put the glittering crown on her head before a fireworks finale at the ExCeL exhibition centre in east London. “South Africa this is for you,” Strauss said afterwards. “I think I will brace myself for what’s about to happen. It’s a huge responsibility.”
The Miss World contest is one of the oldest international beauty pageants. It was first started in the UK in 1951 by Eric Morley. The contest was introduced as part of the Festival of Britain. It is customary that the winner spend the winning year in London and travel around the world to represent the Miss World Organisation (MWO) and its causes.
Miss Hungary, Edina Kulcsar, was the runner-up and Miss United States, Elizabeth Safrit, came third in the 64th annual competition, contested by women from 121 countries.
