Miss Russia Kseniya Sukhinova crowned Miss World 2008

21 year old Miss Russia Kseniya Sukhinova has been crowned Miss World 2008 on Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa. The first runner up was Parvathy Omanakuttan from India while the second runner up was Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago. (Click to enlarge images)

Miss Russia - Kseniya Sukhinova

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Miss India - Parvathy Omanakuttan

Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan

Miss Trinidad and Tobago - Gabriel Walcott

Miss Trinidad and Tobago - Gabriel Walcott

Kseniya Sukhinova who is from Nizhnevartovsk, Siberia, was seen in a purple gown, which had a decorative neckline and a beautiful flowing skirt. Kseniya Sukhinova takes over the title from Zhang Zi Lin of China, to become the 58th Miss World.

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Kseniya Sukhinova is studying for an engineering degree from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University. She is the second Miss Russia to win the Miss World title after Julia Kourochkina in 1992.

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Sukhinova also won the contest's top model award and stood 3rd in the swimsuit competition.

"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.

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Miss India Parvathy, 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 added.

South Africa, hosted the Miss World pageant for the sixth time and has became the country which has held more Miss World competitions than any other.

Around 1 billion people from across 187 countries have watched the event which was broadcast live.

See the video of Miss Russia - Kseniya Sukhinova: