Valerie Hernandez Matias of Puerto Rico is in tears after being crowned Miss International 2014
Left to right: 3rd Runner-Up Victoria Tooby of UK, 1st Runner-Up Zulueta Suarez of Colombia, Miss International 2014 Valerie Hernandez Matias of Puerto Rico, 2nd Runner-Up Punika Kulsoontornroot of Thailand and 4th Runner-Up Milla Rompannen of Finland
The caption in Valerie's photo on the website fitted her nicely.
Puerto Rico won its 2nd* Miss International crown tonight after Valerie Hernandez Matias completed a come-from-behind victory and was named successor of last year’s Bea Rose Santiago. Zuleika Suarez of Colombia was 1st Runner-Up, while Punika Kulsoontornroot of Thailand duplicated her Miss Earth 2013 finish by making it as 2nd Runner-Up. Victoria Charlotte Tooby of UK and Milla Rompannen of Finland clinched 3rd and 4th Runner-Up placements, respectively.
It was a night of surprises indeed as heavy favorite Vianey Vasquez of Mexico failed to crack the Top 5. What’s worse, Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti and Miss Netherlands Shane Bult did not even enter the Top 10. And the likes of Misses Panama and Argentina making it instead caught everyone with jaw-dropping reaction.
Valerie Hernandez Matias in different reaction shots upon winning
Zuleika Suarez was the night’s most awarded contestant. Aside from getting 1st Runner-Up, she also won Best Dresser and Miss Friendship. Indonesia got National Costume, India the Internet Beauty and France the Perfect Body awards.
The Top 5 will extend their stay in Tokyo now.
A very tearful Valerie, together with her court, will now stay in Tokyo until the 19th before she can return to Puerto Rico for a much-anticipated homecoming.
Congratulations to all the winners!
*-Puerto Rico won its 1st Miss International crown back in 1987 via Laurie Simpson Rivera.
