Agencies
WARSAW, Oct 1: Miss Czech Republic Tatana Kucharova, 18, won the Miss World 2006 title here on Saturday night.
Miss Romania Ioana Valentina Boitor was the first runner-up and Miss Australia Sabrina Houssami was second runner-up.
Tatana was born in Trnava and grew up in Opocno.
A high school student, her ambition is to attend university, graduate, have a modelling career that she hopes will enable her to travel; and to be a good parent one day.
Her hobbies are tennis, volleyball, horse riding, ice-skating and many other sports. She enjoys dance and listening to music with a nice melody.
Tatana likes to spend time with her many pets, she has: cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, a bird and a turtle.
Her favourite food is chicken.
Her motto is ‘Always be an optimist’.
India’s entrant was Mumbai-born Natasha, with a Bachelors degree in Business Management, helped her father in the garment export business and is pursuing a career in modelling.
The 104 contenders for the crown performed choreographed routines, responded to question-and-answer sessions and posed in bathing suits and evening dress during the gala celebration at Warsaw's stately Palace of Culture that was "gifted" to Poland by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
In its 56th year, Miss World claims to be the globe's largest beauty contest, edging out rival organisation Miss Universe.
Miss Iceland's Unnur Birna Vilhajalmsdottir was Miss World 2005 in China.
In a last minute twist, the judges were unable to decide between contestants in the Asia Pacific continental group, so three girls, including Miss India, from that group went through to the final 17 semi finalists, not the proposed 16.
Ghana was announced as the winner of the Beauty With A Purpose Award.
A TV spectacular with 104 contestants was hosted by top Chinese TV presenter Angela Chow and British host Tim Vincent, both of whom make a return to the Miss World stage after carrying last year’s show. They were joined by leading Polish TV presenter Grazyna Torbicka.
Topnotch musical entertainment at the Miss World 2006 Final came in the form of internationally-successful Irish band Westlife and Bee Gees singing legend Robin Gibb. The pop opera quartet Amici also performed.
The line-up of official judges at the Miss World 2006 Final was: Julia Morley, Miss World Organisation Chairman and Chairman of the Judges; Aneta Kreglicka, Poland’s only former Miss World, who held the title in 1989; Denise van Outen Prolific actress and TV presenter known for her style and personality; Karan Johar, Indian director known worldwide for his award winning movies; Dame Kelly Holmes, multi-Olympic gold medallist and British heroine, Dame Kelly Holmes; Krish Naidoo, Miss World Organisation International Ambassador; Louis Walsh, Irish mastermind behind some of the world’s leading pop acts; Mike Dixon, West End and Broadway award-winner musical director; Wilnelia Forsyth, Puerto Rican Miss World and designer of the Miss World beachwear range.