United States took the coveted laurels, coming out on top from the ten finalists (listed below). With Australia coming second and Trinidad & Tobago third. She commented after the ceremony:
"I am so excited I am just stunned, I work on my body and try to maintain a good physique so this is fantastic. There are so many kinds of beauty and physical appearance here, to win this award is such an honour. The best part though is now I am in the final of Miss World that means my mother can watch me at home. I am going to represent my country in the best way possible in the final.
"I came here to enjoy China and I have had such a wonderful time. I have wanted to visit for so long but I had no idea it would be so beautiful here. Everyone in China has been very welcoming and hospitable and I hope to come back to see more of the country and surrounding area.
"Miss World is such a great experience for a woman. You get to meet all these wonderful girls and if you have something that you really care about you get the chance to do something about it."
The beachwear final marks the start of the public vote and shows the competition for Miss World 2004 is truly underway (see website soon for further voting details) Miss United States will now be fast tracked to the finals.
Although there were ten finalists and only one overall winner, all the girls looked a million dollars in their swimsuits, which made it all the more difficult for the judging panel to make their decision.
The ten finalists in Miss World 2004 Beach Beauty Section were (in no particular order):
Ecuador
Dominican Republic
Philippines
Trinidad & Tobago
Australia
Mexico
Brazil
Paraguay
United States
Bolivia
Wilnelia Forsyth, Miss World in 1975 and wife of TV personality Bruce Forsyth, has come full circle as a Miss World. Now 29 years on the contestants in today’s beach wear competition are now wearing her swimsuits which she herself has designed. The swimsuits are a fusion of European style, and Caribbean colours, which in itself is symbolic of her Puerto Rican background, and her European lifestyle.
Wilnelia is still working as a Miss World as she devotes most of her time to the Wilnelia Forsyth Foundation, which helps thousands of Puerto Rican children with disabilities and health problems. It was evident that Wilnelia’s role as a Miss World is still as important today as it was 29 years ago.
Miss World 2004 link:
Miss World 2004
Voting Number: 309
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Height: 175
Philippines
© MWO
Karla was born in Cebu City. She is currently studying Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines in Dilman ,(having transferred on winning her national title, from the University of San Carlos Cebus where she was taking Philosophy). After completing her current degree she would like to go back and finish a degree in Philosophy as she considers this to be the right course for her pre-law. It is her ambition to become a broadcaster / lawyer. Karla is a good orator and writes inspirational stories for her school, she was a member of the Speech Club and is a thespian. Hobbies and leisure interests include: reading, writing essays, cooking, singing, badminton, swimming, fencing, Filipino folk dances and has a special talent for baton twirling.
.
I hope you have tried also voting for her in Miss World website!