Peruvian beauty dethrones Ireland as Rosanna steps down

FORMER Miss World Ireland’s Rosanna Davison, daughter of “Lady in Red” pop crooner Chris de Burgh, handed over her crown at the weekend to an aspiring schoolteacher from Peru.

Miss Peru sashayed her stuff ahead of close contenders from the Dominican Republic and the United States at the beauty pageant in China.

Ireland was never in the running nor tipped to take the title for a second year in succession.

Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, a 20-year-old brunette, beat Claudia Julissa Cruz-Rodriguez, 18, from the Dominican Republic and Nancy Randall, 24, from the United States to take the crown.

"I am so happy and surprised it is one of the few things I have always wanted," Ms Garcia told reporters.

Ireland was represented by Natasha Ní Gairbheith, a student from Gweedore, Donegal. She has just completed a three-year law and politics degree, with the ambition of becoming a successful barrister.

She did not make it into the final 15 in the competition.

Mantilla Garcia's win came as something of a surprise as she was not one of the five contestants earlier chosen to be finalists after winning various competitions in the past weeks.

Asked what her plans were for the next year, the new Miss World, who wore a low-cut peacock blue evening dress, said she wanted to be involved in charity work and to learn more English.

"Sorry, I can't speak much English, I need to learn more," she said.

The newly crowned Miss World earned $100,000 in prize money and as part of her contract obligation will go on to perform a variety of duties, largely focused on fundraising for charitable organisations.

Mantilla Garcia was born in Trujillo on the north coast of the South American country.

She is studying to become a high school teacher, but said she is also considering a career in tourism.

Cheers at the packed 3,000-seat venue were loudest for Miss China, who did not make it into the finals.

This year's contest, held in the resort town of Sanya in the tropical island province of Hainan, saw 107 beauty queens parade their looks and talents at the Beauty Crown Theatre.

US star Lionel Richie was the most high-profile celebrity to take part in the show, singing his hits "Hello" and "Say you, say me".

For the first time, Miss World hopefuls had to use their charms and youthful beauty to impress millions of television viewers worldwide who picked the winner via telephone, SMS text and internet voting.