Miss Venezuela crowned Miss Universe in Vietnam

Finally, the much craved-for diamond-studded gold crown of Miss Universe 2008 pageant rested upon the graceful head of Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza in Vietnam on Monday. The 22-year-old burst into tears on her name being announced as the winner of the event by the presenter Jerry Springer, the US talk show host.

Gorgeously clad in her yellow gown, she marched onwards to receive the honour beating finalists from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Russia.

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However, Miss India 2008 Simran Kaur Mundi could not even secure her position in the last 15 semi-finalists list.

The first runner-up was Taliana Vergas (Colombia), second was Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), third was Vera Krasova (Russia) and fourth was Elisa Najera (Mexico).

The punters who bet on www.bettingzone.com too, chose Miss Venezuela as their favourite thereby making her the first choice of pageant bloggers and online bookmarkers.

The 178 centimetre (five foot ten inches) was overwhelmed with joy after being crowned as the Woman of the Evening, and expressed her wish to see her family in Venezuela again, to enjoy her mom's home cooking and the hug the loved ones.

In a post pageant interview, the Venezuelan beauty revealed that a year and a half ago, she was kidnapped in her homeland and thus she wishes to raise voice against violence.

The green-eyed squirrel is handed over a prize-package including cash, a year-long contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free New York city luxury apartment, and a gift bag stuffed with designer shoes, dresses and beauty products.

Dayana Mendoza belongs to a country where beauty is all in air. It is nearly an obsession for the girls in the country, and the beauty pageants are a part and parcel of their everyday life. This is evident from the fact that the country records four previous Miss Universe and five Miss World winners.

Miss Universe 2008:

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza (Watch)

1st Runner Up: Taliana Vargas (Colombia)

2nd Runner Up: Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic)

3rd Runner Up: Vera Krasova (Russia)

4th Runner Up: Elisa Najera (Mexico)

Best National Costume Award goes to Miss Thailand.

Miss Congeniality is Miss El Salvador