Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, is crowned Miss World 2009 at the finals pageant in Johannesburg.
(Photo: EPA)Miss Aldorino, 22, said she "had no words" to describe her feelings following her win at a glitzy awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. However she did manage to say she was "really happy".
Miss England, otherwise known as Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, 22, a soldier in the Royal Anglian Regiment, failed to make it through in the sports heat after spraining her ankle during training.
"I'm sad to say none of us UK girls made it through to the final round, but I never expected to even be here," she said.
"There are a few tears here backstage and some of the girls are not talking to anyone."
L/Cpl Hodge was drafted in to compete in the contest last month after the original Miss England winner Rachel Christie relinquished her title following her arrest over an alleged nightclub brawl.
But the soldier was magnanimous in defeat, praising Miss Aldorino.
She said: "I was so proud to represent England in Miss World in front of two billion viewers; I'm chuffed to bits for Miss Gibraltar, the winner.
"She is a real natural beauty who wasn't expecting to win at all."
She added: "I've enjoyed every minute of it and looking forward to my six months' reign as Miss England when I get back, as I want to use my title to promote the British Army. Well done Gibraltar!"
Also taking part in the finals in Johannesburg were Miss Scotland - Katharine Brown, Miss Wales - Lucy Whitehouse, and Miss Ireland - Laura Patterson.
L/Cpl Hodge, who was first runner-up in the 2009 national contest, was promoted after Miss Christie, 21, stepped down as she wanted to concentrate on clearing her name, the Miss England organisers said.
She was given five weeks' leave from her duties to represent England in South Africa.
Since arriving in Johannesburg she reached the last 20 in the Miss World talent round in the run-up to the final but then suffered the injury.
She explained: "I was so disappointed not to make the final in the sports round as it involved an assault course - I saw that round as my best chance, being a soldier."
After being named Miss England, L/Cpl Hodge told how she hoped her role as an all-action beauty queen would be positive for young people who only saw digitally enhanced models in the media.
She has already served in Iraq but said she was hoping to join comrades on the frontline in Afghanistan after stepping down as Miss England in July next year.
The soldier, whose parents live in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, added: "We are taught in training that we are first and foremost a soldier.
"When I am a soldier I have my hair scraped back and no make-up."
She was given an award by her unit in the Royal Anglian Regiment for her actions during a posting in Basra and has earned the nickname "Combat Barbie" L/Cpl Hodge.
First runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta, while Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, was the second runner-up.
source: (Thank you and credits to http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)***********************************************************************
Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino - the new Miss World 2009LATEST RESULTS:Johannesburg, Dec 12, 2009 (THAINDIAN NEWS) History was created today in Johannesburg, when for the first time ever in the 59 years of the pageant’s history the Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino was crowned the Miss World 2009. The 59th Miss World 2009 had a total of 112 contestants competing for the crown.
The winner
Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino looked very pretty in a regal gown that showed off her beautiful body. The brown-eyed Kaiane Aldorino is just 22 years old and her star sign is Cancer. She is fluent in Spanish and English. She is an out-going person who enjoys traveling with her friends and family. She was also crowned as the Miss World Beach Beauty.
During her reign as the Miss World 2009, Kaiane Aldorino will be busy for the next one year traveling and doing social work in different countries. She will also crown the winner of the Miss World 2010 pageant, which is supposed to take place in Vietnam.
The first runner up of the Miss World 2009 is the Mexican beauty
Perla Judith Beltrán Acosta. She was born on September 30, 1986. She was born in Culiacan. Her mother is the reason that she started taking part in beauty pageants. Perla Beltrán won the Miss World Top Model fast track event and award. She also got the title of Miss World Americas.
The second runner up of the pageant was none other than the local beauty queen of South Africa
Tatum Keshwar. She was born on December 14, 1983 in Durban, South Africa. By profession she is a model, and has her roots in the ethnicities of Black African, White and Indian groups. She studied at the Mowat Park Girls High. Tatum has got a Psychology Degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her hobbies are to do yoga, model, reading and working out in the gym.
(source:
http://www.thaindian.com)
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Miss World 2009, the 59th Miss World pageant, was held on December 12, 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. 112 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown, marking the biggest turnout in the pageant's history. Miss World 2008, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, crowned her successor, Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar, at the end of the event.
Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino has won the Miss World crown for 2009, defeating 111 other hopefuls at a glittering ceremony in South Africa.
"Thank you South Africa, this is the most wonderful moment of my life," said a tearful Aldorino, a 22-year-old human resources clerk.
Confetti rained down on the stage as the beauty from the tiny British territory of fewer than 30,000 people accepted the crown in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, on Saturday.
Mexico's Perla Beltran came second, with South African entry Tatum Keshwar taking third place.
African drums, gumboot dancers, choirs and a local pop band performed during the pageant, which was broadcast to an estimated one billion viewers around the world.
"The build up to this event has been phenomenal, the girls have had a time of their lives in South Africa," said Chinese television presenter Angela Chow, who hosted the show.
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Among the disappointed contestants was Miss England, a soldier dubbed "Combat Barbie" by the British media.
Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, a 22-year-old who has served in Iraq, was granted leave from the military for the one-month tour of South Africa, where before the live broadcast the contestants competed in sports, a talent showcase, and of course the swimsuit competition.
Also losing out was Miss Indonesia, Kerenina Sunny Halim, who was the subject of a last-minute legal battle with a South African weekly that reported on her public comments about her ties to an American religious cult.
According to a report by the weekly Mail and Guardian, Halim belongs to The Family International, which has been mired in child and sexual abuse allegations by former members.
The 23-year-old Halim told the Jakarta Globe she's a member of the church, for which she did humanitarian work after the Asian tsunami in 2004, the Mail and Guardian said.
Organisers lost a court battle to quash the story early on Saturday.
"This was a blatant attempt by Miss World Ltd to intimidate us by threatening damages running into hundreds of millions of pounds sterling," said Mail and Guardian editor Nic Dawes.
"I have offered the pageant organisers right of reply in our newspaper and on our website, which they have yet to take up," said Dawes.
But organisers didn't let the incident affect the glittering ceremony, where reigning Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova, 22, from Russia handed over the crown.
Organisers say the title pays recognition to beauty queens who have made a difference in people's lives through charitable works in their home countries.
"Charity work is integral to the Miss World ethos and part of the brief to contenders in each country is that they volunteer their time or fundraise for charity," said pageant owner Julia Morley.
In 1951, Sweden's Kiki Hakansson became the first Miss World; then-unknown Halle Berry represented America in 1986 and became a runner-up before going on to become an Oscar-winning actress.
Venezuela and India have produced the most Miss Worlds, with five title holders each.
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LATEST NEWS ON DECEMBER 11, 2009Finalists for Beauty with a Purpose AnnouncedBarbados, Guatemala and India were today announced as the Beauty With A Purpose finalists. The winner will be announced tomorrow during the liveshow and go through to the Miss World Semi-Final and last sixteen of the competition. Beauty With A Purpose was introduced by Julia Morley more than 25 years ago and since then more than $400 million have been raised in it’s name in support of children’s charities across the globe.
The special annual award programme singles out and recognises the Miss World contestant who has shown, through charitable works, to have made a real difference to people in need in her homeland. Charity work is integral to the Miss World ethos and part of the brief to contenders in each country is that they volunteer their time or fundraise for charity.
Bollywood Superstar Priyanka Chopra, special guest in Miss World Final 
Former Miss World and Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra will appear before an estimated global TV audience of one billion when she takes to the stage as very special guest at the 59th Miss World Final 2009, on Saturday 12 December.
The glittering two-hour spectacular from Gallagher Convention Centre in the City of Gold, Johannesburg.will showcase the beauty and talent of 112 of the World’s most incredible young women, who have spent one month enjoying the wonders of South Africa.
Presenters of the show will be China’s leading TV presenter Angela Chow and South African TV host Michelle McLean. They will be joined by special guest from India, former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, who won the Miss World crown in 2000 and has now established herself as one of the leading actresses in Bollywood.
The show will be screened around the globe, with many countries taking it live to a massive TV audience. Broadcasters include United States (E! TV), India (Zee TV, Hindi and English language versions), South Africa (SABC3), China (CCTV2), and Russia (CTC).
As well as showcasing the 112 contestants, the live broadcast will feature exciting presentations by South African and international artists, as well as some of the contestants’ own talent performances, including Canada and Sierra Leone who jointly won the recent Miss World Talent Show.
A look at Saturday’s Election 
16 Beauties will advance to the next round of competition when the group of 112 contestants is reduced, and the hosts will announce to the world which lucky girls will continue in the quest for the Miss World 2009 title. These 16 beauties have been chosen as follow:
Top 10 Finalists chosen by the panel of judges (during the week, the judges had the opportunity to meet all contestants during a private interview),
Plus the 6 winners of the Fast-Track events, completing the 16 Semi Finalists.
-Sports (Japan)
-Talent (Canada and Sierra Leone)
-Beach Beauty (Gibraltar)
-Top Model (Mexico)
-Beauty with a Purpose winner (to be announced during the Final).
The judges will take another look at the 16 semi finalists and then will decide on the Top 7 lucky beauties who will compete for the crown.
December 10, 2009: Photocall with Miss World contestants 
A group of Miss World contestants took part during a press photocall at the Gallagher Convention Center on Thursday, to promote the upcoming Miss World 2009 final to be held this Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa. 112 women participated in the 5-week beauty festival which included visits to about 8 different cities.
To view more photos please click here: Photocall with Miss World contestants LATEST NEWS: DECEMBER 10,2009 ON 59TH MISS WORLD 2009 PAGEANT
Today the 112 Miss World contestants are being interviewed by the official panel of judges. In addition to the 6 fast-track winners, only 10 other beauties will make it to the semi-finals. Good luck to all!
(Source:GB Photo/C.Kuntz)
Contestants having fun in Johannesburg 
There is a great atmosphere around the place at the moment as contestants’ family and friends have begun arriving in Johannesburg, the City of Gold, ahead of the final on Saturday night. There will be fantastic support for this year’s finalists as they prepare for the big night.
Before the rehearsals for Saturday started this week, contestants have had a chance to enjoy themselves and take in the magnificent city hosting this year’s final. This included outings to sample some of the best restaurants and nightlife and trips to local attractions such as Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. Photos courtesy Joburg Tourism
Do click here to view more photosIt’s Christmas time for Miss World contestants!by Christian Kuntz
Last Monday night the 112 Miss World delegates had the chance to relax and have some fun in the 2009 Miss World Christmas party. They danced, sang, took photos and enjoyed themselves, recharging their batteries for hours and hours of rehearsals which will come next.
Three Misses World attended yesterday’s dinner: Ksenia Sukhinova, 2008, Zhang Zi-lin, 2007, and Linor Abargil, 1998. Linor spoke to the girls about the importance of “Beauty With a Purpose” and sang a song she composed which talks about mothers who could not be with their daughters in the most difficult moments of their lives.
Linor, as many already know, was raped before she became Miss World. “I want every woman to know that they should look for the support of their dear ones in such difficult situations, it’s very important”, she said.
Some tidbits about yesterday night’s event…
Miss India hurt her foot and went to the ball in a wheelchair. Her fans shouldn’t worry: it’s nothing serious, and she should not have any problems to compete;
Miss Brazil also felt sick during the day (she had a high fever) and made a late arrival at dinner. She’s feeling much better now;
Miss Spain has a striking resemblance with Lupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991 and today the national director of Miss Mexico;
Nationals directors from the Bahamas, Poland, Kenya, Kazakhstan, and several other countries have also arrived in Johannesburg to give support to their contestants;
Some girls who were previously unnoticed looked radiant and could easily pull a surprise on Saturday night. The ones who come to mind at this time are Czech Republic, Bahamas, Gibraltar, Bolivia, Russia, Kenya, Slovenia, Peru, Croatia, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Aruba, Serbia (possibly the most vibrant and congenial!), Netherlands, Ethiopia, Namibia, Romania (what a smile!), and Turkey. It’s really a strong year and an open game at this time!
I finally had a chance to see Miss Puerto Rico from a close distance, and I must say she looks like a princess! She is indeed a strong contender here;
* Favorites who are still running strong: Belgium, Brazil, France (incredible poise!), Malaysia, Mexico, Panama (she looks even more impressive in person), Puerto Rico (as mentioned above), Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa (what a natural and elegant beauty!), and Vietnam;
Eye on the very unique beauties from Jamaica and Martinique! They could pull a surprise;
Some candidates I still have to see: Italy, USA, Norway, New Zealand, Greece, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago. Only then I will be able to comment…
Yesterday’s event was hosted by Steve Douglas, who did a great job bringing fun and quality entertainment to the party. They girls really enjoyed it.
Tickets for Miss World 2009 Final go on Sale 
The Miss World 2009 Telecast will take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Hall 2, on Saturday, December 12th at 5:00 pm local time (10:00 am EST, 3:00 pm Greenwich). Witness the coronation of a new Miss World titleholder, live from Johannesburg, South Africa!
Tickets are now for sale via Computicket:
Prices for tickets:-R 1440.00 (USD 190.00)
-R 1200.00 (USD 160.00)
-R 1020.00 (USD 135.00)
-R 780.00 (USD 100.00)
First impressions from Miss World 2009by Christian Kuntz
I arrived in Johannesburg for my first Miss World finals experience on Sunday, and it looks like this city and this country breathe the upcoming World Cup! Taxi drivers, people at the hotel, everyone has an opinion about the first World Cup to be held in the African continent, and I was told by more than a couple of South Africans, “I hope South Africa and Brazil will meet in the final”. As a Brazilian national, I hope so too!
I got to the hotel where the contestants are staying late in the afternoon. While most delegates were rehearsing at closed doors, others were outside waiting for their time to be called in. They were either inside the building, seating on the floor, or in tables at the outside bar area, chatting, checking their e-mails and internet news, listening to music on their I-pods or simply resting.
One of the favorites, Miss Mexico, was accompanied by her parents and fans, who came all the way from Mexico to give her support. Perla is very tall, poised, and looks more beautiful in person than she does on photos or videos. She is indeed a strong candidate.
Candidates from the former Yugoslavia were all seating together in a table outside. Miss Macedonia is unquestionably one of the sexiest girls around, but the candidate who clearly stood out in that group was Miss Serbia. She seems extroverted and looks amazing in person. Miss Serbia shinnes and could be a surprise next Saturday.
One of my personal favorites, Miss Barbados, was just as stunning as I expected her to be. She was wearing sunglasses, eating a lollypop and using her laptop. Gorgeous, in my opinion so far ‘the one to beat’.
Russia looks cool and relaxed, I liked her. Miss Netherlands is just incredible, a mixture of former Miss Universe Justine Pasek and supermodel Cindy Crawford. Miss Martinique has lots a style, she is not your regular beauty queen, which is awesome. Canada is very elegant, her photos are deceiving, I was surprised. Australia is another positive surprise: tall and quite beautiful.
Another girl who has a stunning face but hasn’t been much noticed, is Miss Albania. Eye on her.
Miss Scotland, who did well in most fast-track events, resembles Tatana Kucharova, Miss World 2006, but taller. She should place.
Miss Venezuela, who spent some time talking to Osmel Souza, is very tall and has an impressive overall figure.
Miss Brazil looks as amazing as usual, and she told me that this has been the experience of her life so far, even though she lost a piece of luggage when traveling from London to Abu Dhabi. Miss Angola, her roommate, is a pretty woman.
I also saw Luxembourg, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Argentina, the Philippines, and a bunch of other girls I did not recognize .
The family party will take place later today, and it will be a good chance to have a better look on this fabulous group of Miss World beauties.
A few national directors, including Osmel Souza from Venezuela, Ernesto Paz from Peru, and Henrique Fontes from Brazil, are already in South Africa. Lupita Jones from Mexico should be arriving soon;
When Miss World candidates had to visit the Johannesburg soccer stadium, they were asked to wear tennis shoes. Miss Puerto Rico was the only one came down wearing high heels. She was told by her chaperone to go back to her room and change, which she finally did after trying to convince her otherwise; Miss Puerto Rico leads all betting houses lists of favorites;
In Cape Town, Misses Australia, Angola and Brazil had their rooms invaded by a baboon! Miss Angola was so scared that she left her room half-naked and screaming for help! In the end they all had a good laugh with it…
Visit to FNB Soccer City in Soweto 
The contestants are back in Johannesburg and on Sunday, they visited the FNB Soccer City paying tribute to the host grounds of the FIFA World Cup 2010.
Soccer City, sometimes referred to as the FNB Stadium, is a stadium located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located next to the South African Football Association headquarters (SAFA House) where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is housed.
A football-specific stadium, the FNB Stadium currently has a capacity of 94,700, the largest in Africa. Most of the largest football events in South Africa are played at the FNB. Soweto and the National Exhibition Centre in Nasrec are nearby.
Do click here for more photos:
Visit to FNB Soccer City in Soweto 
The Fan Fest project for the 2010 World Cup was launched in Cape Town last thursday by Fifa president Joseph Blatter. Following the success of the idea at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the nine host cities decided to replicate the idea here, starting with a star-studded event in Cape Town that took in the World Cup draw in the city.
Do click here for More photos from the FIFA Fan Fest at Cape Town Children’s Party at Johannesburg Zoo 
Contestants at FIFA Fan Fest in Cape Town The first stop for this year’s Miss World finalists, after arriving back in Joburg, was the city’s zoo. The ladies threw a party for 300 local children from day care centres and orphanages. Both the contestants and children had a great time as they played games, sang songs and took pictures together. After lunch they said goodbye and the Miss World finalists signed autographs for their new friends.
The Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904, and it has traditionally been owned and operated by the City of Johannesburg. However, it has recently been turned into a corporation and registered as a Section 21 non-profit organisation.
This zoo is dedicated to the accommodation, enrichment, husbandry, and medical care of wild animals, and houses approximately 3000 different species. It is one of the few places in the world with white lions (a separate species: the white lions are not albinos), and has had considerable success in their breeding; these are more sought after than tawny lions by other zoos.
The Johannesburg Zoo is also the only zoo in South Africa to have successfully bred Siberian Tigers, the largest cats in the world. “Twist” the male Siberian, weighs 320 kg, and is the father of all the Siberian Tigers to be found in South Africa. Max the gorilla was probably the Zoo’s best known resident. Photos courtesy Joburg Tourism.
The 112 contestants of Miss World 112 attended the FIFA Fan Fest Draw, attended by over 100,000 people who gathered at Long Street in Cape Town to witness the fate of their favorite teams during the upcoming World Cup to take place in June 2010.
Musicians entertained the audience while the official FIFA Tournament draw was taking place with celebrities like Charlize Theron and David Beckham.
All nine South African Host Cities as well as Berlin, London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney were today unveiled as locations for the FIFA Fan Fest™, the official public viewing events of football’s flagship tournament. Millions of fans are expected to watch the matches live at these events and experience the unique FIFA World Cup™ ambiance in these outdoor venues. Entrance to FIFA Fan Fests is free, with all 64 matches to be broadcast on giant screens in a safe and secure environment.
Official public viewing events were first launched by FIFA in 2006 as part of the official programme under the name “Fan Fests”. During June/July 2006, more than 18 million fans gathered at the 12 official events and transformed Germany into one of the greatest fan parties of all times.
Fashion Show at One and Only Resort, Cape Town 
While counting down the days for the FIFA World Cup 2010 Tournament Draw on Friday, the 112 contestants of Miss World 2009 took part in a special afternoon at the One and Only Resort in Cape Town. On Thursday, they had a special Fashion Show and Gala with local authorities and celebrities. The beauties will return to Johannesburg on Monday for the final leg of the contest. Photos Courtesy Joburg Tourism.
The tour continues: First London, then Abu Dhabi; then Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban, a 2-day safari and now Cape Town, for the FIFA World Cup Tournament Draw. The 112 contestants of Miss World 2009 are living an unique experience. On Wednesday night, they were welcomed during an special event held at Moyo restaurant, located on the world-famous Spier wine state just outside of Cape Town. Photos courtesy Joburg Tourism.
Contestants visit Lion Park 
After a 2-day unforgettable Safari at the Legends Golf and Safari Lodge, the contestants made a brief stop in Johannesburg to then proceed to Cape Town. During this stop, 28 contestants visited the Lion Park where they had an amazing experience with wild animals. Photos courtesy Joburg Tourism.
On day 2 the Miss World girls split into groups.They went to the Pedi Village, where they saw Lion cubs, cheetahs and meercats.They then had lunch and in the afternoon went to test their golfing abilities, and took putting lessons. There were puttuing competitions. They were then entetained by a bird of prey display and got to hold some of the birds. Photos courtesy of Joburg Tourism.
The 112 contestats continued their 2-day safari with a special event: On Sunday evening there was a dinner and the girls were entertained by African dancers and musicians. They were then all given an african drum and had a short drumming lesson, before they played themselves. Photos courtesy JoBurg Tourism.
Contestants head to 2-day Safari in the African wild 
Miss World contestant’s spent two days at Legend Safari Resort and got to experience the wild African bush in this luxury golf resort. The 22,000 hectare game reserve has the ‘Big Five’ and is in Waterberg Biosphere. The contestants spent the days on safari seeing animals in the wild as well as getting up close with some of the younger animals reared on the reserve. Photos Courtesy JoBurg Tourism
Schedule of Events in December 2009Tue Dec. 1, 2009: Blue Train to Cape Town
Thu Dec. 3, 2009: World Family Picnic
Fri Dec. 4, 2009: FIFA World Cup Draw
Sat Dec. 5, 2009: Return to Johannesburg
Thu Dec. 10, 2009: License Holders Meeting
Sat Dec. 12, 2009: Miss World 2009 FINALSDec. 14-15, 2009: Departures
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(Thank you and credits to
http://www.heraldsun.com.au,
http://www.thaindian.com,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ and all sources for the information and pictures)
(Thank you and credits to
http://www.globalbeauties.com/ and all sources for the information and pictures)
