Russian beauty wins Miss World 2008

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Russian beauty pageant contestant Kseniya Sukhinova was crowned Miss World 2008 in an internationally televised competition in South Africa.

Miss World judges tabbed Miss Russia, 21, from among 108 contestants vying for the title at the Johannesburg event Saturday night, RIA Novosti reported.

Sukhinova, an engineering student from Russia's Tyumen Region in West Siberia, was initially tabbed as one of the top five finalists.

Other finalists included Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan, Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott, Miss Angola Brigith dos Santos and Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee.

Contest organizers said an estimated 1 billion viewers from 187 countries watched the beauty competition Saturday night, RIA Novosti reported.