LIST: Winners of the Miss International 2024 special awards
Miss International 2024 gave out special awards to some hopefuls during the pageant's grand coronation night on Nov. 12.
Held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan, the 62nd edition of the pageant saw eight aspirants being honored with special prizes. Here's the complete list of special awardees at the recently concluded tilt:
- Continental Queen Miss Africa – Akysanna Veiga of Cape Verde
- Continental Queen Miss America – Shelbi Byrnes Garcia of Cuba
- Continental Queen Miss Asia Pacific – Mei Ueda of Japan
- Continental Queen Miss Europe – Hannah-Kathleen Hawkshaw of Ireland
- Miss Fitness – April Tobie of Honduras
- Best in National Costume – Samantha Poole of New Zealand
- Best in Evening Gown – Sofia Cajo of Peru
- Miss Photogenic – Valeria Villanueva of Mexico
Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy of Vietnam was crowned as the new Miss International Queen, taking over the reign of Andrea Rubio of Venezuela.
The first runner-up is Camila Roca of Bolivia, the second runner-up is Alba Perez of Spain, the third runner-up is Sakra Guerrero of Venezuela, and the fourth runner-up is Sophie Kirana from Indonesia.
The theme for this year's Miss International highlights the need for "national organizations to be self-reliant, independent and confident in its own brand.” This also aims to emphasize the “long-term effects on the mental health of all the participants."
"Miss International vows to provide a safe and secure platform where all delegates can enjoy wholesome activities that may enhance their future career prospects without being enslaved by social media," the organization stated, promising the "traditional aspects of beauty pageant through a healthy and friendly competition” spreading awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals."
The Philippines' bet, Angelica Lopez, ended her journey early after she fell short of making it to the Top 20.
She had been aiming to win the seventh crown for the Philippines, following the wins of Gemma Cruz-Araneta (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).