It was all joy in Uganda and the rest of Africa when Quiin Abenakyo, the Miss World Uganda representative was crowned as Miss World Africa at the 2018 Miss World finale in China.
This was after the beauty queen made it to the top 5 at the world’s oldest running international beauty pageant on Saturday.
Even though she missed out on this year’s top crown, with Mexico’s Vanessa Ponce taking it, Abenakyo won the continental crown by beating Mauritius’ Murielle Ravina. The 22-year-old is the second runner-up with Belarus’ Maria Vasilevich in fourth place while Jamaica’s Kadija Robinson is in the fifth position.
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Thank you Uganda. Thank you Africa. Thanks to all the wonderful people all over the world who voted #QuiinAbenakyo in the miss world 2018 beauty pageant.
We made it to top 5 and took the continental title Miss World 2018 Africa. May God bless you all. ??? pic.twitter.com/oaiqSR7vne
— Quiin Abenakyo Miss World 2018 Africa ? (@QuiinAbenakyo) December 8, 2018
Essentially, other beauty queens in the top five at 68th edition of the pageant were; Miss Mexico, Vanessa Ponce de Leon (Miss World America); Miss Uganda, Quiin Abenakyo (Miss World Africa); Miss Jamaica, Kadijah Robinson (Miss World Caribbean); Miss Belarus, Maria Vasilevich (Miss World Europe) and Miss Thailand, Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan (Miss World Asia and Oceania).
Abenakyo, who received massive support from the start of her race to the competition had said that her name, Quinn had been one of the many factors that had shaped her destiny. The computer science student, born prematurely at seven months, said she had to be in an incubator.
“My mother tells me I was a very tiny little baby, and when I miraculously survived the ordeal, she named me Quinn (from the title Queen). That I was a very special child to her,” she was quoted by Daily Monitor.
Before battling it out with 117 contestants from around the world at the pageant in Sanya, Abenakyo first beat 21 other contestants in her home country to win the Miss Ugandan 2018 contest.
Miss Uganda 2018 — Twitter
She subsequently headed to the international stage, where she has been able to do what no other Ugandan representative at the world stage had ever done.
Her project on teenage pregnancies earned her a place in the Top 30 spot, and with continuous support from Ugandans, she entered the Top 12 and then into the Top 5 to win Miss World Africa. Being part of the Top 5, she was asked the following pre-recorded question:
Question: “During my year, I combined my passion for singing with my Beauty With a Purpose project. What unique quality would you bring to Beauty With a Purpose?”
Response: “Good evening everyone. I am very passionate about cooking. I believe one can show the love they have for everyone through food. My Beauty With a Purpose is fighting teenage pregnancies. We can all come together and help, but we can also do this through food because when we all come together, we share ideas, we generate ideas. Just like the Miss World family, we were able to come up with different ideas to solve problems in our countries. Thank you.”
Quiin Abenakyo at the Miss World competition — New Vision
Though she did not snatch the overall title, being part of the Top 5 means that she will be a part of the Miss World 2019 Beauty with a Purpose tour among other benefits. For many Ugandans, she has been a pride of the nation and is an inspiration to other young women who have similar goals.
Heartiest congratulations to Miss World Africa,
Uganda’s @QuiinAbenakyo for making history and lifting Uganda’s flag highestThank you for making us all so very proud. ???#MissUgandaisMissAfrica2018#MissWorld2018 pic.twitter.com/ubiRLOiTyU
— Jacob Oulanyah (@JacobOulanyah) December 8, 2018
History has it that this is how Ugandans welcome their heroes and heroines. Quiin Abenakyo who represented Uganda at the Miss World 2018 is likely to be treated like this! ???#QuiinAbenakyo made it to the top 5 and emerged winner of the African continental title. ??? pic.twitter.com/zjFXp6KDQh
— Julius Bintu (@JuliusBintu) December 8, 2018
I congratulate our own Miss Uganda Quiin Abenakyo for being crowned Miss World Africa, and finishing among the top five Miss World finalists. You have made history. You have made Uganda proud. Thank you, Uganda for always supporting our own. #tuliyambala_engule#funaendagamuntu pic.twitter.com/DP8XtFeBOS
— Ashraf holly ug???? (@ashrafhollyug) December 8, 2018
#MissWorldAfrica2018
Congratulations @QuiinAbenakyo ??? pic.twitter.com/Lg1j3sZS9u— Ashraf holly ug???? (@ashrafhollyug) December 8, 2018
Quiin Abenakyo, the big News around the world that you’re crowned miss World Africa & you were the 2nd runner up #MissWorldVote 2018. Congratulations @QuiinAbenakyo pic.twitter.com/65frKR7AU6
— Tumwesiga Elly #TravelEnjoyRespect (@EllyTumwesiga) December 8, 2018
Meanwhile, here’s how other African contestants fared in the challenges:
Beauty with a purpose
Kenyan Finali Galaiya’s project on the HIV and widow cleansing in Kenya was among the Top 12 while Rwandan Liliane Iradukunda’s made the Top 25 list.
Top Model
Senegal’s beauty queen Aissatou Filly was the second runner-up in the contest that was won by Maëva oucke of France. South Africa’s Thulisa Keyi was fourth runner-up. Nigeria’s Anita Ukah made the Top 32.
Multimedia
Kenyan beauty queen Finali Galaiya was the second runner-up in a challenge that was won by Nepal’s Shrinkhala Khatiwada.
Sanya Tourism Promotional Video Award
Kenyan Finali Galaiya beat China, Nepal, Puerto Rico and England to win this award.
World Fashion Designer Award
South Africa’ Thulisa Keyi shared the honours with China’s Peirui Mao.
