PH’s Angelica Lopez among Miss International 2024 ‘Miss Fitness’ leaders

Bb. Pilipinas Angelica Lopez / MISS INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK PHOTOS

Binibining Pilipinas Angelica Lopez was among the top scorers in the judging for “Miss Fitness” in the most recent Miss International pageant held in Japan earlier this month.

The Tokyo-based international pageant shared on social media the highest-ranked delegates in swimsuit, and the Filipino contender landed in 12th place. Topping the list was Honduras’ April Tobie, who was proclaimed “Miss Fitness” during the final gala held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on Nov. 12.

Lopez, however, did not advance to the semifinal round, breaking the Philippines’ four-year placement streak in the Miss International pageant that started with Ahtisa Manalo who finished second in 2018.

All seventy-one delegates competed in swimsuit during the preliminary evaluation held at the Professional University of Beauty and Wellness in Yokohama on Nov. 10, with the ladies parading in swimsuits of their choice.

But for the first time ever, the Miss International delegates wore swimwear in the same theme for their official portraits. The orange swimsuits were provided by Dia Ali of Filipino designer Justine Aliman.

The Top 20 delegates also paraded in their orange Dia Ali swimwear during the semifinal swimsuit competition conducted on stage during the final gala. In previous editions, all the candidates paraded in swimsuits on stage individually, and they wore swimsuits of their own choice.

The Miss International pageant also revealed the official rankings of the top performers in national costume. New Zealand’s Samantha Poole was proclaimed Best in National Costume during the final gala, with the rest of the 10 leading delegates also announced on stage.

Peru’s Sofia Oslo, meanwhile, topped the preliminary evening gown round, conducted just hours before the final gala at the Tokyo Dome City Hall. She also did not advance to the semifinals like Lopez.

In last year’s competition, Bb. Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo ranked second in the on-stage gown round. She also finished as third runner-up at the end of the competition.

The 2024 Miss International crown went to Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, the first winner from Vietnam, who ranked third in the judging for “Miss Fitness.”