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Miss World 2008, the 58th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 13 December 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Originally, the pageant was going to take place in Kiev, Ukraine, but because of the ongoing 2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis in neighbouring South Ossetia, the Miss World Organization decided to move the pageant away from Eastern Europe. 109 contestants from all over the world compete for the crown, the second highest turnout in the 59 years of the pageant. Zhang Zilin of China crowned Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia as the brand new Miss World.
Miss World 2008 contestants were judged based upon the criteria of glamour, beauty, intelligence and poise. Some of the judges were representatives of the Miss World Organization. Some of the contestants, such as Ksenia Sukhinova, communicated with the judges using a translator. Some event judges congregated with contestants outside of and before the actual event itself, such as during rehearsals and photo shoots. Judges for the event were:
Julia Morley – Chairwoman of the Miss World Organization.
Philippines – Janina San Miguel was replaced by Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up, Danielle Castaño due to Janina's personal decision to give up her crown.
Sweden – Jennifer Palm Lundberg placed 3rd runner-up in the Miss World Sweden pageant, but won the title when each of the original top three placers declined the crown after disagreements over the winner's contract.
Vietnam – Miss Vietnam World 2008 Trần Thị Thùy Dung was not allowed to compete after it was revealed that she did not graduate from high school. This also applied to all runners-up and/or finalists who competed at the same pageant. The 2nd runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, Dương Trương Thiên Lý, was designated to represent Vietnam at Miss World 2008.
Withdrawals
Estonia – Due to lack of funding and sponsorship
Macedonia – Suzana Al-Salkini withdrew due to lack of funding and sponsorship, but she did compete the following year at Miss World 2009.
Nepal – The organiser of the Miss Nepal pageant said it was postponing the contest scheduled for 23 August 2008 to an unknown date, after the Maoist women's wing, which has trained its sights on Miss Nepal, announced a Kathmandu Valley shutdown on the day to prevent the event.
Panama – Kathya Saldaña had problems with the regional organisation and didn't obtain a South African visa in time.
Romania – Due to lack of funding and sponsorship
Slovenia – Due to lack of funding and sponsorship
Suriname – Mireille Nederbiel was not allowed to compete in Miss World by the decision of pageant organizers.
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