Miss Russia won the Miss World 2008 contest held in South Africa Saturday. Kseniya Sukhinova beat out 108 other contestants.

The first runner up was Parvathay Omanakuttan of India, and the second runner up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, as reported.

The contestants first traveled for a month in South Africa. Here they are at the zoo in Johannesburg.

“Miss World 2008 is Russia,” announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event. The second runners up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.

More than 100 international beauties participated in this year’s Miss World pageant, hosted by South Africa.

Sukhinova also had won the contest’s top model award and was third in the swimsuit competition. Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee had made it to the final five.

“I think I can help people and I want to help people and today if I walk away with this crown I will do that,” Sukhinova told judges through a translator after being asked why she should be crowned the winner.

India’s Parvathy, who had won the Miss femina contest in April this year, said: “In India and South Africa people are warm and warm-hearted. I felt at home in Johannesburg.”

“Presence of two great leaders Mahatma Gandhi (India) and Nelson Mandela (South Africa) have influenced millions of people in both the countries,” she said.

Asked About her experience in the beauty pageant, the 5 feet 9 inches tall dusky beauty said: “It is a great journey for me.”

South Africa, who hosted the event for the sixth time, became the country that has held more Miss World pageants than any other. The event was broadcast to millions of viewers in 187 countries.

Miss Austria, Kathrin Krahfuss:

Miss Chile, Nataly Nadeska:

Miss United States, Merica Lane Lindell:

Miss Brazil, Tamara Almeida Silva:

Miss Zimbabwe, Cynthia Muvirimi: