And regain its clout it did!

India’s Manushi Chhillar has captured her country’s 6th Miss World crown, 17 years after Priyanka Chopra‘s win in 2000. The 20-year-old model from the northern state of Haryana bested 117 other beauties for the 2017 title.  The pageant was held for the 7th time in Sanya, China on November 18.

The daughter of two doctors, Chhillar is currently pursuing her medical degree at the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonipat. She aims to one day become a cardiac surgeon and open hospitals in rural areas.

Her winning Beauty with a Purpose project, entitled “Project Shakti“, tackled menstrual hygiene awareness. She shared her title with the delegates of Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, and Vietnam. She is now the first Beauty with a Purpose Fast Track winner to win the crown. Moreover, both India and Venezuela now have 6 Miss World titleholders each.

This year, 40 contestants made the first cut. 20 were chosen through the new “Head to Head Challenges”, while the remaining half was selected through Fast Track challenges and judges’ picks.

Finishing 1st Runner-Up for the third time for her country was Mexico‘s Andrea Meza, while 2nd Runner-Up was England‘s Stephanie Hill. Rounding up the Top 5 were France‘s Aurore Kichenin and Kenya‘s Magline Jeruto.

The Top 10 were: Indonesia‘s Achintya Holte Nilsen, Jamaica‘s Solange Sinclair, Korea‘s Ha-Eun Kim, Russia‘s Polina Popova, and South Africa‘s  Ade van Heerden.

Rounding up the Top 15 quarter-finalists were: El Salvador‘s Fatima Cuellar, Japan‘s Haruka Yamashita, Macau‘s Wan Lan, Mongolia‘s Enkjin Tseevendash, and Nigeria‘s Ugochi Ihezue. Both El Salvador and Macau achieved their first and highest placements yet.

While the remainder of the Top 40 consisted of:
Argentina- Avril Marco
Bangladesh – Jessia Islam
Botswana – Nicole Gaelebele
Brazil – Gabrielle Vilela
China – Guan Siyu
Colombia – Maria Daza
Croatia – Tea Mlinaric
Dominican Republic – Aletxa Mueses
Guatemala – Virgina Argueta
Italy – Conny Notarstefano 
Kazakhstan – Gulbanu Azimkhan
Lebanon – Perla Helou
Liberia – Wokie Dolo
Malta – Michela Galea
Moldova – Ana Badaneu
Nepal – Nikita Chandak
New Zealand – Annie Evans
Peru – Pamela Sanchez
Philippines – Laura Lehmann
Poland – Magdalena Bienkowska
Sweden – Hanna Haag
Ukraine – Polina Tkach
United States – Clarissa Bowers
Venezuela – Ana Carolina Ugarte
Vietnam – Do My Linh

More on the results, when we post our complete review! But for now…

Congratulations, Manushi! And welcome back to Miss World glory, India!