Miss World 2012 goes to China while Miss Jamaica finishes in the Top Seven

Miss China won the coveted title of Miss World today , triumphing on home soil, during a glitzy ceremony,  held in a mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.

Miss Jamaica World, 21-year-old  Deanna Robins, who placed in the top seven, was a favourite from early in the competition. 

She was in the top five of the Talent Competition and top 10 of the Top Model Challenge

Deanna Robins was also a finalist in the Miss World Sports competition.

The mostly Chinese audience erupted in cheers; and fireworks lit up the sky, when it was announced that the home candidate, Yu Wenxia, had been awarded the coveted title. 

 he 23-year-old  Yu, who became China’s second Miss World winner,  in what was a two-hour ceremony,  serenaded the audience with a piercing rendition of a popular Chinese song. 

Last year’s Miss World, Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela, handed over her crown to Yu, who wore a sparkling blue dress. 

Miss Mexico, Mariana Reynoso, had been the bookmakers’ favourite for the title, but failed to make the last seven candidates, despite a strong showing in the early rounds of the pageant.

 Miss Wales, Sophie Moulds, came in second, while Miss Australia, Jessica Kahawaty, finished third.

 The pageant took place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia on Saturday morning, Jamaican time, with contestants representing 116 countries.

Jamaica last won the crown in 1993 when Lisa Hanna was crowned Miss World.

Miss World 2013 pageant will be held in Indonesia.