The Hindu : Russia wins crown for first time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 31, 2002

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Russia wins crown for first time

24-year-old Oxana Fedorova of Russia being crowned Miss Universe 2002 at the 51st annual Miss Universe competition on Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. — AFP

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) MAY 30. Oxana Fedorova of Russia won the 2002 Miss Universe crown on Wednesday night, wearing a white evening gown and telling a roaring crowd that she blushes when she says the wrong things.

The five finalists were posed with a final question that dodged politics or controversy: ``What makes you blush?''

``When I say the wrong things!'' the 24-year-old only child from St. Petersburg, Russia, said grinning to a raucous crowd waving American flags. Many of the other contestants said they didn't blush. Last year's question was ``What would you change about your life?''

Contestants were judged in three categories — swimsuits, evening gowns and interviews. The 5-foot-11 (1.80-meter) Russian with black hair and green eyes wore a white toga-like dress for the evening gown contest and won the swimsuit competition in a white bikini.

Ms. Fedorova, the 51st Miss Universe, is a university lecturer and doing post-graduate work in civil law. She wants to become an attorney and a mother, and has a 38-year-old boyfriend named Vladimir.

``I feel good. I haven't been this happy in a long time,'' she said in Russian at a news conference after winning the crown. ``I am completely shocked. This is the first time my country has ever won.''

In addition to her other goals, Ms. Fedorova wants to get involved in children's causes because ``today's girls are tomorrow's mothers.''

Miss Universe 2002, Oxana Fedorova (right), the runner-up, Miss Panama Justine Pasek (left) and the second runner-up, Miss China Ling Zhou, hold hands on stage as they wait for the winner to be named during the Miss Universe pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. — AP

Ms. Fedorova gasped when her name was called and last year's queen, Puerto Rican Denise Quinones, placed a $ 250,000 crown of diamonds and pearls on her head.

Miss Panama, Justine Pasek, won first runner-up. Wearing a white off-the-shoulder gown with fringe, the 22-year-old wants to be an environmental engineer. Miss China, 19-year-old Ling Zhuo won second place.

Wearing a sleek Asian-styled satin gown, she wants to be a fashion designer. It was the first time China has sent a contestant.

Miss Albania, Anisa Kospiri; Miss India, Neha Dhupia; Miss Germany, Natascha Borger; Miss Cyprus, Demetra Eleftheriou and Miss Canada, Neelam Verma made it into the top 10 but were eliminated in the final round. All take home a cash prize of $ 500. — AP

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