Spanish Beauty Queen Mireia Lalaguna Crowned Miss World 2015

The title of Miss World 2015 has been awarded to Spanish model Mireia Lalaguna, who beat 113 contestants from across the globe on Saturday night at a coastal resort city in south China's Hainan Province. The pharmacy student from Barcelona claimed the illustrious crown after winning over the contest's judges during the 65th edition of the world famous pageant in China's Sanya.

The beauty queen said, "Without the love I have received from all of the people I have met here, and from all of the people wishing me well and supporting me at home, I would never have gotten to this point. I want to show them and the world that I am deserving of the Miss World title and I hope to do everyone proud."

The pageant's second place was awarded to Russia's Sofia Nikitchuk, while third place went to Indonesia's Maria Harfanti.

However, the ceremony was not without controversy. Officials in Hong Kong last month stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound for Sanya, telling her she would not receive a visa.

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.

Source-AFP