60 years ago, Reita Faria became the first Indian and Asian to win the Blue Crown. What followed was nothing short of legendary – for the country first, at least. And it wasn’t like the door had completely opened. 

Within the two succeeding decades, it was the neighboring region of Oceania which took centerstage, with two winners from Australia, Penelope Plummer (1968) and Belinda Green (1972). That was followed in 1980, when Kimberley Santos unexpectedly ascended to the throne after Gabriela Brum’s abrupt abdication. It was the first and, so far, only, for the US territory for Guam – last seen in 2018. By the late 80s, the contest finally tried tapping into Asian shores. The 1986 Parade of Nations was filmed in Macau, while the entire 1989 edition was held in Hong Kong. 

In 1994, India reclaimed the title, thanks to Aishwarya Rai.  Three more followed within the next six years, asserting indomitability: Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookey (1999), and Priyanka Chopra (2000). Sandwiched within that streak was Israel’s first winner, sexual abuse survivor Linor Abargil (1998). She was followed in 2002 by another West Asian, Turkey’s Azra Akin. By that time, the People’s Republic of China had completely entered the arena. 

After its one-shot stint in 1994, Mainland China re-entered the game in 2001 and became a key player in no time. The country hosted the contest for nine times from 2003-2018, eight in Sanya, Hainan and once in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. The era produced two Chinese winners: Zhang Zi Lin (2007) and Weng Xia Yu (2012). In the process, the whole region gathered momentum. 

It was in 2013 when the contest made it to Bali, Indonesia. From this first Southeast Asian staging came the first Southeast Asian winner, the Philippines’ Megan Young. No doubt, the neighbors wanted a slice of the pie. In 2017, Manushi Chhillar captured the sixth crown for India, which now ties the country with Venezuela for most wins. By then, Asians had established Fan Vote dominion. 

Right now, it sure feels full circle: to have the second ASEAN titleholder, Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, crown her successor on the second ASEAN host, which is Vietnam. A back-to-back Asian win may not be completely certain. But one thing’s for sure: with only 10 slots allotted per continent, it will be a bloodbath. 

Here are the delegates from Asia and Oceania: 

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AUSTRALIA – Olivija Spanovskis. The two-time champ held the Miss World Oceania title for two straight years, so it’s natural to keep this one under watch. Much as her limelight somewhat dimmed past her Sports third place finish, she still has a 33% chance at the continental prize – unless a certain returning territory seizes momentum. 

BANGLADESH – Samanzar Sayeed. After a 16-year hiatus, the country returned with an impressive two-year breakthrough streak in 2017 and 2018. This public health advocate went from under the radar to potential upset, thanks to her Beauty with a Purpose placement. 

CAMBODIA – Leakena In. Some may remember her as the Supranational also-ran who earned her due in Cosmo. It sure is emblematic having a fan favorite don the sash, 20 years since the country’s debut. Factor in her Talent nod and People’s Choice figures, and a breakthrough suddenly feels likely. 

CHINA PR – Yifei Dong. 25 years since this country became a mainstay, two wins and nine hosting stints aren’t feats to scoff at. Yet, since its second win, the farthest it reached was a Top 11 placement 10 years ago. This media mogul looks like a step back in the right direction. But, Talent and Top Model nods aside, it’s still tough to call.

COOK ISLANDS – Tiarē Henry-Anguna. Before its hiatus, the Kiwi territory was on a roll, having made the cut thrice within 2016-2019. Now, it seems the islands are poised to come back strong, given this culture advocate’s Fast Track placements and People’s Choice figures. With luck, she might even break Australia’s Miss World Oceania streak. 

INDIA – Nikita Porwal. Considering this country’s incredible track record and recent hosting stints, it’s unsettling not to see her excel outside of Top Model. Of course, Fast Tracks alone aren’t the lone indicator, and this actress is still every inch the prototype. She’s still poised to power through. But, given the mounting competition, it’s the seventh crown that’s lightyears from certain.  

INDONESIA – Audrey Bianca Callista. The archipelago’s achieved quite the streak by making the cut since 2011 and even managing to host in 2013. Frustratingly, the one missing element is the Blue Crown, despite those consecutive 2nd Runners-Up finishes of 2015 and 2016. This environment sustainability advocate aced Top Model, but her BWAP exclusion caused mini heart attacks. Now, her countrymen can rest easy with her Multimedia win. So, yes, after all that suspense, the streak remains safe.

JAPAN – Yui Kawana. 70 years after debuting with a 3rd Runner-Up, the Land of the Rising Sun still rarely, well, rises to the occasion. Hopefully, they can afford this aspiring actress and Top Model qualifier a slot, as she is eye-catching.

KAZAKHSTAN – Bagym Baltabaeva. The country has fared well since Margarita Kravtsova’s landmark Y2K Top Five placement, but has yet to place post-pandemic. Much as this student has People’s Choice traction, a drought-ender remains to be seen. 

KOREA – Min-Seo Cha. The Land of the Morning Calm spent the 1970s not making the cut in this contest. Unless this commerce students ends the current drought, the 2020s might follow suit. Then again, her Head to Head placement does spark hope. 

KYRGYZSTAN – Saadat Ayslbekova. It’s been 15 years since this Central Asian country debuted and no breakthrough’s set in stone. This hospitality management has strong features and poignantly dedicates her advocacy to her 2013’s Zhibek Nukheeva, who died of cancer in 2017.

LAOS – Mongkoutphet Hanesana. The 2017 debutante returns in time to compete “next door”. This media personality has the clout and Fast Track placements, but she’s still overshadowed. 

LEBANON – Perla Harb. For two straight years, Miss Universe alumnae finished strong. This finance graduate is significantly more low-key, so the streak might be in danger.

MALAYSIA – Taanusiya Chetty. Some of the best Malaysian results in pageant history happened here – from Catherine Loh, the 1963 debut placer who’s actually from Brunei, to Michelle Yeoh, who’s been, well, Everything, Everywhere All At Once since missing the cut in 1983. Point is, the country never struggled here the way it did elsewhere. And poised to extend its current streak is this English school teacher, who’s been serving looks since Day One and unsurprisingly placed in both Top Model and Multimedia. In another year, those would automatically scream “Asian frontrunner”. But in this case, she faces resistance from the host delegate and the continent’s teenage namesake taking the Fast Tracks by storm.  

MALDIVES – Mariyam Eema Mohamed. The country served as backdrop for Miss World 2000’s swimsuit segments, but it took 26 years for them to actually send a delegate. That’s already distinction in itself for this catwalk dynamo who earned extra mileage in Head to Head. 

MONGOLIA – Enkhtuul Bayarsaikhan. A decade since Bayartsetseg Altarangel scored this country’s best finish, three more Mongolians have followed suit. It’s too bad the country isn’t the voting powerhouse it used to be. This striking lawyer barely tops the People’s Choice tally.

MYANMAR – Han Theint Theint Aung. After competing once as Burma in 1960, the country’s skipped only one year since returning under its modern name in 2014. With their strong voting populace as of late, they might just be in for a fight. This polished contender also passed muster in Top Model. 

NEPAL – Luna Luitel. The Himalayan Homebase’s streak sadly came to a screeching halt last year, though this clinical nurse specialist did restore its BWAP momentum. That might just help her achieve vindication.

NEW ZEALAND – Chloe Robinson. No Kiwi has ever won this contest, but kudos to Middle Earth for placing non-stop since 2017. Unfortunately, the streak might take a pause this year, though this aspiring architect did rally hard in Multimedia. 

PAKISTAN – Anniqa Jamal Iqbal. The Danish-born veteran sees action anew as her country’s maiden Miss World bet. Outside of that historical distinction, it’s an uphill climb.

PHILIPPINES – Asia Rose Simpson. 60 years ago, the Motherland debuted. It wasn’t the smoothest start, which spawned the rumor that the Morleys would never let a Filipina win. That was until Megan Young actually, well, did – decades later and became the first Southeast Asian to achieve the feat. Occasional misses aside, this is by far the archipelago’s best era, as it introduced us to Catriona Gray and reigning Miss World Asia Krishnah Gravidez. Sending a former Miss Teen USA non-placer to uphold that legacy felt like a risky move. But – surprise, surprise – this ballerina just made Top 40 through Head to Head. Still, it may be too early to consider the crown within reach as, historically, multiple Fast Track nods don’t always guarantee an overall win. For now, let’s rest easy knowing the stronghold remains. Anything beyond that would be a bonus. 

SINGAPORE – Aishwarya Nicole Tan. Only two Singaporeans have placed here to date, though some would argue that 2006’s Coleen Pereira should have. This entrepreneur and tutor has standout qualities, but is severely overlooked.

SRI LANKA – Prathibha Liyanarachchi. We can’t blame fans still reeling over Aruni Gunasakera’s shutout, given how certain almost everyone was last year. So, much as this technical director scored triple Fast Track placements, chances of vindication are still 50-50. 

THAILAND – Kanteera Techaphattanakul. Frankly, Opal’s a tremendously tough act to follow. And ever since Priyanka Chopra scored that consecutive win in 2000, only five national successors have made the cut since (Valerie Weigmann thankfully included). So, much as this medical technologist has her share of placeable qualities with Fast Track mileage to boot, the struggle is felt.  

TÜRKIYE – Sila Saraydemir. Two years since ending its post-Azra Akin drought, the country returns with another stunner. Yet, without the crown-able aura of 2023 and the Head-to-Head ticket of 2025, gauging this social worker’s prospects still feels tricky.

VIETNAM – Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen. Miss Intercontinental titleholders have crossed over before, with outcomes ranging from shutouts (Germany’s Sabrina Schepmann, 2000), placements (Thailand’s Patraporn Wang, 2014), to, most notably, repeat triumphs (India’s Lara Dutta, 1997). Now, the 2022 winner couldn’t have picked a better year – and venue – to take that leap. Home court advantage aside, this CEO’s been firing on all cylinders, from her Head to Head highlight, her Top Model win, to her BWAP citation. With the seven-year streak achieved, her goal now is to secure her country’s best finish yet, if not nab the Blue Crown on home turf. At most, she can shoot for continental queen – unless the continent’s Pinay namesake goes all the way.

 

ALREADY IN: INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM

TOP 40-WORTHY: AUSTRALIA, CAMBODIA, CHINA, COOK ISLANDS, INDIA, JAPAN,   LAOS, MALAYSIA, MYANMAR, NEPAL, SRI LANKA, THAILAND, TÜRKIYE

DARK HORSES: BANGLADESH, KAZAKHSTAN, KOREA, MALDIVES, MONGOLIA, NEW ZEALAND

LONG SHOTS: KYRGYZSTAN, LEBANON, PAKISTAN, SINGAPORE