ALL SET FOR MR. WORLD FINALS
The 29-year-old model-actor was the first Asian to be crowned in 2016. After his reign, he is set to appear in a Bollywood movie
This year’s edition of Mr. World is set to be the biggest and most successful event in the history of the competition. The new titleholder will be revealed on Friday, 23 August, at the Araneta Coliseum, one of Asia’s largest indoor arenas.
Rohit Khandelwal of India, the longest reigning Mr. World who arrived on Friday, 16 August, to crown his successsor, said the next winner “should have personality.” The 29-yearold model-actor was the first Asian to be crowned in 2016. After his reign, he is set to appear in a Bollywood movie.
At his welcome presscon held at Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Rohit shared his wish to do a movie in the Philippines, adding that he is interested to learn the language. He described himself as a very serious person and that he always does meditation.
The official contestants from countries across the globe started to arrive in the second week of this month for the three-week run of the competition, as they battle it out to determine who’s the most desirable man to follow Khandelwal.
They were presented on a rainy Thursday afteroon, 8 August at Versailles Tent, Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
Julia Morley, chairman and chief executive officer of the Miss World Organization, said, “We are excited to be here in the Philippines with representatives from around the world. Over the next couple of weeks, the contestants will take part in a number of challenges that test the true qualities of a man. We have had such a wonderful welcome from the Filipino people, and we are looking forward to getting to know them better, taste the local food and understand the culture.”
In a series of Mr. World challenge events, the contestants will test their physical and mental endurance: the Extreme Challenge, with intensive Special Action Force commando training at the SAF school in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Sports Challenge to test their skills, discipline and athleticism; Talent and Creativity, to measure their finesse, technique and dedication; Fashion, to get it right in styling; and Multimedia, to showcase their charisma in presenting and engaging themselves with the online audience.
Morley, Mr. World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria and the world’s most desirable men were also joined by the world’s most desirable women.
Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle from Puerto Rico and the reigning Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce de Leon graced the press presentation. Del Valle and De Leon, the first Mexicans to win Miss World, are here for some charity works and are expected to attend the finals on Friday.
The event will be broadcast live to a global audience, and for the first time, fans will have the option to catch the action unfold on pay per view on its official website: www. missworld,com/#/mister.
Mr. World, the largest and most recognized international pageant, is owned and licensed by the Miss World Organisation. Information about the contestants and how to download photos can be found in the official website at
We are excited to be here in the Philippines with representatives from around the world. Over the next couple of weeks, the contestants will take part in a number of challenges that test the true qualities of a man.