When you make history by securing a place in Miss World’s top eight of the Multimedia Challenge, top 24 in the Talent Round and top five in the Head-to-Head Challenge (Asia), you are a winner. When you have a nation of 22 million people taking to social media in the belief that you’re up there with best, you are a winner. And when pageant watchers in all corners of the world shower praises about your graceful beauty and unique personality, you are a winner.
Anudi Gunasekara had us on the edge of our seats for some three weeks, such was the hype she created on every conceivable online platform – it felt like she was wearing the Miss World crown throughout the mini pageants!
In a message posted on Facebook to her ‘fellow Sri Lankans’ on the morning of the finals on 31 May, she wrote: “I don’t even have the words to express how overwhelmed and grateful I am for the love, support and encouragement you’ve shown me. Every post, every comment, every kind message… I see them, I feel them and they mean the world to me.”
Indeed, she will continue to wear the Miss World Sri Lanka crown with the pride that befits a champion of our island nation.
For the time being, she is our woman of the moment.
