South Africa's Rolene Strauss wins Miss World 2014 competition

Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss has won the coveted Miss World 2014 title, beating more than 120 other contestants at a glittering ceremony held at ExCel London Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Miss World 2014 was handed her crown by the reigning Miss World 2013, Megan Young of the Philippines, and cheered on by second and third runners-up, Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsár and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit.

According to the Miss World Official website, the 22 year-old is fourth year medical student, and enjoys playing the sports golf, netball and cycling, and reading inspirational and educational books.

The top five finalists at this year's Miss World beauty pageant were contestants from England, United States, Hungary, Australia and South Africa.

The other contestants who made it to the top 10 were:

4. Australia: Courtney Thorpe, a marketing student
5. England: Carina Tyrrell, a med student at the prestigious University of Cambridge.
6. Guyana: Rafieya Husain, a business administration student
7. Brazil: Julia Gama, a chemical engineering student
8. Kenya: Idah Nguma, a marketing executive
9. Mexico: Daniela Álvarez Reyes, Miss Mundo Mexico
10. India: Koyal Rana, NGO and director of the Moksha Foundation

People's Choice winner: Thailand: Nonthawan Nonthawan Thongleng, a singer, TV host and model
The ceremony also featured a tribute to Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994.

More pics below:

Strauss is the first Miss World titleholder from South Africa in 40 years and the first to win the competition in more than 55 years. In 1974, Miss United Kingdom Helen Elizabeth Morgan from Wales won the pageant and had to relinquish her crown days after it was discovered that she has a child, which defied competition rules. Miss South Africa at the time, Anneline Kriel, later took her place. The first and last time a competitor from her and Strauss' country was crowned at the annual competition was in 1958, with winner Penelope Anne Coelen.

Credit: eOnline UK