Miss World'08: India's Parvathy is the first runner-up

Agencies

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 14: Russia's Ksenya Sukhinova was on Saturday crowned Miss World 2008 after beating scores of international beauties, including India's Parvathy Omanakuttan who finished first runners up, at a glittering African extravaganza held here.

"Miss World 2008 is Russia," announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event.

The 21-year-old Parvathy, who hails from Kottayam in Kerala, narrowly missed out on joining five Indian glamour queens Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000) who had won the title.

Pics: Parvathy in action

The second runners up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.

More than 100 international beauties participated in this year's Miss World pageant, hosted by South Africa.

Miss World 2008, Winner Miss Russia: Ksenia Sukhinova
Miss World 2008, First runner-up: Pantaloons Femina Miss India World’08: Parvathy Omanakuttam
Miss World 2008, Second runner-up: Miss Trinidad & Tobago: Gabrielle Walcot