Mexican volunteer crowned Miss World
Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon reacts after winning the 68th Miss World contest final in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. Photo: AFP

SANYA: A Mexican model and volunteer was crowned Miss World at a glitzy event on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on Saturday.

Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, 26, has a degree in international business, volunteers for "Migrantes en el Camino” and is on the board of directors of a rehab centre for girls, according to the Miss World website.

She was crowned as the 68th Miss World by last year’s winner, Manushi Chhillar of India, in the coastal city of Sanya.

The colourful ceremony included US group Sister Sledge performing their 1979 disco anthem "We Are Family.”

First runner up was Thailand’s Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan, a 20-year-old studying business administration.
Miss World 2018 finalists, from left, Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan, Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson and Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich stand on stage during the 68th Miss World contest final, in Sanya on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. Miss Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon went on to be crowned Miss World 2018. Photo: AFP

Miss Belarus Maria Vasilevich, Miss Jamaica Kadijah Robinson and Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo were also among the final five.

It is the eighth time the Miss World final has been held in Sanya, which first hosted the pageant in 2003.

At the finals three years ago controversy erupted as officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound for Sanya, telling her she would not receive a visa.
Miss Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan walks on stage after being selected as one of the regional finalists during the 68th Miss World contest final in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on December 8, 2018. She went on to finish as runner-up to Miss World 2018. Photo: AFP

The 25-year old actress claimed the decision was due to her stance on China’s human rights record, including its persecution of Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual group of which she is a practitioner.