Miss Grand Philippines 2024 CJ Opiaza. Image: Hajie Alejandro via Instagram/@cjopiaza
CJ Opiaza emerged as one of the frontrunners to win the Miss Grand International 2024 crown, after her strong performance in the pageant’s National Costume showcase, preliminary competition, and other pre-coronation activities.
Opiaza was picked as the second favorite to bring home the title, as seen on the final hot picks by pageant platform Missosology on Thursday, Oct. 24. The platform analyzes the country’s national pageants and several international tilts, as well as the candidates.
India’s Rachel Gupta was ranked first on the publication’s leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Susana Medina, Peru’s Arlette Rujel, Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein, Brazil’s Talita Hartmann, Venezuela’s Anna Patricia Blanco, Indonesia’s Nova Liana, Mexico’s Tania Estrada, and France’s Safietou Kabengele rounded up Missosology’s Top 10.
On the other hand, pageant analyst Sash Factor chose Opiaza as the third choice for the Miss Grand International crown, as seen on its Instagram page on Thursday. It also picked Gupta as its favorite for the title.
Completing Sash Factor’s Top 10 are Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein, Spain’s Susana Medina, Dominican Republic’s Maria Felix, Indonesia’s Nova Liana, Peru’s Arlette Rujel, France’s Safietou Kabengele, Mexico’s Tania Estrada, and Curacao’s Akisha Albert.
Opiaza is representing the Philippines at the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant, which will be held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Oct. 25. Reigning titleholder Luciana Fuster will pass her title at the end of the coronation night.
The pressure is on for the pageant veteran, as she’s hoping to win the country’s first golden crown.