Miss Trinidad places third in Miss World
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| Published on Monday, December 15, 2008 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidadian Gabrielle Walcott was placed third in the Miss World pageant held over the weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa. The winner was Miss Russia, Ksenia Sukhinova, and in second spot was Miss India, Parvathy Omanakulan.
There were 110 contestants and, apart from placing third, Walcott, 24, was among three finalists in the Miss World Best Dress. She also emerged victorious for the Beauty with a Purpose title - a charitable and social project.
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| Gabriel Walcott, Miss Trinidad and Tobago, celebrates after being crowned the second runner up at the 2008 Miss world pageant held in Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. AFP PHOTO |
She is the third Trinidadian to make her country proud in this endeavour. The first was Janelle "Penny" Commissiong, who won the Miss Universe Contest in 1977 to become not only the first Trinidad to cop the title, but also the first black. The second Trinidadian to be Miss Universe was Wendy Fitzwilliams in 1998.
But minutes after Gabrielle placed third, Trinidad and Tobago national director of the Miss Universe/Miss World, Peter Elias, called it quits.
Elias said, "This is the end of the road for me," saying 2008 was his last pageant. He added, "There was always a never-ending challenge for support. I wish my successor all the best," refusing to dwell further on the topic.
The Trinidad Guardian reported that an elated-sounding Elias said he made the decision to call it a day unknown to Gabrielle and her fashion designer, Bobby Ackbarali, who were still in Johannesburg celebrating. He said he did not want to tell them at that time because he did not want to spoil their fun.
Elias said, "Once you place in the first five, that is an accomplishment in itself."
The Trinidadian beauty said, "Nelson Mandela once said a good mind and a good heart is a formidable combination. This is the combination I shared with the judges,” and added that her father always said to her "to whom much is given much is expected and that is achieving with Beauty with a Purpose." | | | | Reads : 3384 | | | |
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