Miss World beauty pageant 2009 on Dec 12

Updated at: 1123 PST, Monday, December 07, 2009
JOHANNESBURG: Five candidates of the 2009 Miss World beauty pageant have advanced to the semifinals, after they won in four fast-track events in Johannesburg, South Africa, organizers said.

The five candidates who will be included in the Top 20 are Miss Japan, Eruza Zazaki, who won Miss World Sportsman; Miss Canada Lena Ma, and Miss Sierra Leone, Mariatu Kargbo, tied, Miss World Talent; Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino, Miss World Beach Beauty; and Miss Mexico Perla Beltran, Miss World Top Model.

The other semifinalists will be announced during the grand finals, which will be held at the Gallagher Convention Center on Saturday, December 12.

Normally, only four contestants advance in the semis. But for the first time, this year, two candidates Misses Canada and Sierra Leone tied in one of the fast-track events. This resulted in five candidates advancing to the semifinals.

Also, Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon, and Beltran, of Mexico appeared to be the early favorites to win the 2009 Miss World crown, based on betting houses.

Observers said that the two candidates continue to switch ranks either No. 1 or No. 2 on a daily basis based on bettors’ lists. The lists, however, are not the basis for judging the winners.

Other early favorites were delegates from France, South Africa, Barbados, Belgium, Jamaica, Panama, Gibraltar, Austria, Norway, Croatia, Philippines, Canada, and Scotland.