Outsider set to cash in on reign

JOHANNESBURG -- She may have been a rank outsider at 66-1 but Miss World is now laughing all the way to the bank as she pockets $100000 (about R960000) for winning the coveted crown.

Stunning, long-legged Agbani Darego of Nigeria took her place as its new inter-national ambassadress to beauty on Friday night but, unsurprisingly, at her first official press call on Saturday morning, looking oh-so-young, she appeared a bit like a frightened deer caught in an oncoming trucks' headlights as she bravely faced a barrage of media.

"I've made history," she mused with a smile, but hastened to add that that won't stop her from continuing with her studies as a computer scientist -- between official duties as the new Miss World of course.

Darego was pleased with her achievement for her country. "I am happy I made them proud."

And indeed Africa should be proud too because in over half a century there have only been three winners from the continent -- two of them white South Africans.

So with the world's adoring eyes upon her, a wad of cash in the bank and all kinds of opportunities in the offing, the Port Harcourt, Rivers State-born, 18-year-old, who plans to raise a lot of money for underprivileged children, looks every bit like being a winner who will prove a truly worthy African addition to the Miss World ranks.

Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss made it into the top 10 line-up.

The runners-up were Miss Aruba, Zerelda Lee, and Miss Scotland, Juliet-Jane Horne.

A special Hawaii Pacific University Miss World scholarship went to Miss Costa Rica.

There were other notable achievers, as well.

Miss Korea won the best dress award, Miss Barbados took the Miss Talent title and Miss Photogenic went to Miss Thailand. -- DDC