Three Latinas appear to be the odds-on favorites this year. To be honest, we’d be overjoyed to see anyone from the three emerge victorious. But for now, we’ve decided to give the edge to…

PAGEANT GEEKS’ OFFICIAL PICK FOR MISS INTERNATIONAL 2017:
Colombia – Vanessa Pulgarin
Coming from the land brought us the first ever Miss International titleholder and its first ever black winner, we wouldn’t mind this stunner from Antioquia adds another milestone.

TOP 5 PICKS: 
1st Runner-Up: Mexico – Citlaly Higuera 
2nd Runner-Up: Venezuela – Diana Croce
3rd Runner-Up: Lithuania – Patricija Belousova
4th Runner-Up: South Africa – Tayla Skye Robinson

Following close behind in our list is Mexico’s Citlaly Higuera, who can easily give Vanessa a run for her money. If she wins, she’ll be the third titleholder from her country, in a span of just 10 years. Completing our triumvirate of choice is Venezuela‘s Diana Croce, who is clearly destined for vindication. Rounding up our Top 5 are two beauties who may be on the brink of achieving major milestones. Lithuania‘s Patricija Belousova is THE face of the pageant. With luck, she could easily outdo her Miss Universe 2014 showing. Then there’s South Africa‘s Tayla Skye Robinson, who might just earn her continent’s first ever MI title.

TOP 15 PICKS (In Alphabetical Order): 
Brazil – Bruna Zanardo
Curacao – Chanelle de Lau
Finland – Pihla Koivuniemi
Indonesia – Kevin Lilliana
Japan – Natsuki Tsutsui 
Laos – Phounesup Phonnyotha
Nepal – Niti Shah
Netherlands – Nathalie Mogbelzada
Philippines – Maria Angelica De Leon
Spain – Elizabeth Ledesma Laker

Brazil and Netherlands are veterans who didn’t disappoint and might fight for a Top 5 placement. Same goes for Nepal, the most beautiful contestant ever sent by her country in this pageant, bar none. The odds may be against Philippines, but she still excelled at every turn. Spain and Curacao are show-stealers. Indonesia‘s fast-rising clout is not to be underestimated. Ditto for Finland and Japan‘s long-lasting stronghold. Lastly, we’re tossing in Laos, this year’s most promising newcomer, for good measure.

And as an added bonus, here’s how we ranked the remainder:

ALTERNATES AND STRONG POSSIBILITIES
Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Korea, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vietnam

Belarus was a Miss Supranational finalist, and might pull a last-minute surprise. Czech Republic‘s back and possibly with a vengeance. UK‘s a natural charmer. Consecutive placements might still happen for Australia, Canada, El Salvador, Poland, Russia, and Thailand (glad she recovered just in time). Norway or Sweden could easily join (or replace) Finland; China and Korea could easily benefit from Japan; Myanmar, Mongolia, and Vietnam could easily replace Laos. Ukraine‘s possibly at its strongest since 2005, and lastly, Moldova: 17 years in the pageant circuit, sent worthy candidates at some points, but still no placement. Can this year’s rep finally achieve that breakthrough?

DARK HORSES
Belgium, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Macau, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Slovakia, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, USA 

LONG SHOTS
Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, France, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Lebanon, Mauritius, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan