By 
Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand has been crowned Miss World 2025 during a glittering ceremony held in Hyderabad, India on Saturday.
The 72nd edition of the prestigious global pageant brought together 108 contestants from around the world, with Chuangsri emerging as the winner after a closely contested finale.
Chuangsri received the crown from outgoing Miss World, Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic, in an event co-hosted by Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle and Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar. The first runner-up title went to Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia.
This year’s event, hosted at the HITEX Convention Center in the southern state of Telangana, marked India’s second consecutive year as host nation.
While the crown eluded Zambia’s representative, Faith Bwalya, her performance marked a historic breakthrough for the country. Bwalya advanced to the quarterfinals, becoming the first Zambian contestant ever to reach that stage in Miss World history.
Though she narrowly missed a place in the semifinals, her achievement shattered the country’s long-standing record of not progressing beyond the Top 40.
Bwalya was among the Top 10 African contestants and earned her place in the finale after triumphing in the head-to-head challenge round.
The African finalists who advanced to the semifinals included contestants from Nigeria, Namibia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tunisia.
Her compelling presence and advocacy under the “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative garnered widespread admiration both at home and abroad.
Her campaign work, which began with the Miss World Festival on May 7, helped highlight her commitment to social causes beyond the glitz of the stage.
In Zambia, her trailblazing journey sparked national pride.
Among those who paid tribute to her efforts was First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, who publicly praised Bwalya for her inspiring representation of the nation on the global stage.
Although her Miss World journey concluded before the final crown was awarded, Faith Bwalya’s record-breaking run has reignited interest in Zambia’s participation in global pageantry after a seven-year absence.
Her dedication, perseverance, and impact have set a new benchmark for future contestants.
As Opal Chuangsri begins her reign as Miss World 2025, Zambia celebrates a historic moment of its own — one that will be remembered as a turning point in the nation’s pageant legacy.
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