Miss World Philippines Gwendolyne Fourniol (left) and reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska/ARMIN P. ADINA
The Philippines’ bet to the 71st Miss World pageant continues to gather steam in the ongoing contest in India, qualifying for another “fast-track” event, this time in the “Top Model” competition.
The French-Filipino contender from Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, had earlier hurdled the first rounds of the “Head-to-Head,” “Sports” and “Talent” events.
Winners of the fast-track events are each guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinal round during the final competition.
Axelle Rene from Martinique was proclaimed the winner of the Top Model fast-track event. Nursena Say from Turkey topped the Asia-Pacific region.
Fourniol had to wait for almost two years after her coronation as Miss World Philippines before she was able to fly to the international competition.
She captured her national crown on her second attempt at the title in 2022, but the Miss World pageant kept on postponing its 71st edition originally slated in the same year.
Reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska from Poland won in the contest’s 70th edition that commenced in Puerto Rico late 2021, staged after a year-long pandemic pause.
The 2021 pageant hit a snag because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the delegates, staff members, and officials, and everybody was sent back home. Only the Top 40 delegates were asked to return at the contest’s resumption in March 2022 where Bielawska was crowned.
The 71st Miss World pageant was earlier reported to be held in London, then in the United Arab Emirates, and finally, in India.
The competition in India was earlier scheduled in December 2023, but the Miss World Organization again postponed it, and moved the contest to the first quarter of 2024.
Fourniol was finally able to fly, and carry the Philippines’ colors, in the middle of February for her quest to become the second Filipino woman to be crowned Miss World.
To date, Megan Young remains to be the lone winner from the Philippines. She won in the 63rd Miss World pageant held in Indonesia in 2013.
The 71st Miss World pageant will conclude in a coronation show at Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai, India, on March 9. Fourniol will compete against 111 other delegates from different countries and territories.