India's Meenakshi Chaudhary wins 1st runner-up title at Miss Grand International 2018
Mumbai, October 27: India’s beauty Meenakshi Chaudhary came at the second position in a neck-to-neck competition for Miss Grand International 2018, at the sixth edition of the beauty pageant. The competition was held in Myanmar.
Meenakshi was edged out by Paraguay’s Clara Sosa for the top honor, who succeeds Miss International 2017 Maria Jose Lora of Peru. India’s girl was adjudged the first runner-up while Indonesia's Nadia Purwoko was declared the second runner-up.
Chaudhary said while expressing gratitude, "I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in my journey right from the time I participated in fbb Colors Femina Miss India 2018 to then winning the title of fbb Colors Femina Miss Grand India 2018 and now being crowned as Miss Grand International 2018 1st runner-up."
The show began with all the finalists who were vying for the Miss Grand International 2018 crown parading in black costumes performing a dance number alongside the reigning winner. The host for the evening then announced the winner of national costume which was awarded to Miss Grand Peru 2018 Andrea Moberg. The finalists then took center stage as confirmed quarter finalists of the evening. India's Meenakshi Chaudhary was also part of the Top 20 contingent. The second stage witnessed the finalists walk the ramp in stunning Miss Grand International swimsuits.
Thereafter, the quarter finalists were trimmed down to Top 10 semi-finalists. The lineup also included Miss Grand India Meenakshi Chaudhary, Miss Grand Dominic Republic, Miss Grand Paraguay, Miss Grand Mexico, Miss Grand Venezeula, Miss Grand Spain, Miss Grand Puerto Rico, Miss Grand Indonesia, Miss Grand Japan, and Miss Grand Vietnam.
The next segment was all about the Top 10 finalists slaying the ramp in some mesmerizing evening gowns which was one of the highlights of the evening. The pageant finale also witnessed a teary-eyed emotional message from the outgoing queen Maria Jose Lora to the fans as she thanked everyone for their constant encouragement. Subsequently, the contestants were further narrowed down to Top 5 finalists which included Miss Grand Puerto Rico Nicole Colon, Miss Grand Japan, Haruka Oda, Miss Grand Paraguay Clara Sosa, Miss Grand India Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Miss Grand Indonesia. Nadia Purwoko.
The shortlisted contestants then gave their final speech for Stop the War and Violence. In the end, Clara Sosa clinched the coveted crown after defeating numerous contestants from around the globe. The finale of the prestigious pageant also witnessed a number of sub contests which was won by the following finalists.