Taanusiya Chetty takes third place at Miss World, matching Malaysia’s best result in 28 years

Taanusiya Chetty has returned Malaysia to the top three at Miss World after a 28-year wait, matching the country’s best-ever result in the competition. The 26-year-old Kuala Lumpur native finished third at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Sept. 5.

Chetty, known affectionately as Taanu, also won the Beauty With a Purpose award, one of Miss World’s central segments. The award recognizes contestants who promote humanitarian, educational or healthcare projects in their countries. Her victory in the segment secured her place in the top six.

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Thank you to all Malaysians who have supported me throughout this Miss World competition in Vietnam.

At the final, Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic won the crown, while Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes Alabern finished first runner-up. Chetty appeared in a pink dress by Vietnamese designer Minh Tuan Couture and impressed judges during the top-six question-and-answer round with her response on protecting the environment.

Drawing on her experience as a teacher, she spoke about building environmental awareness from an early age through tree-planting activities. She said such work teaches children about growth, patience and responsibility. The pageant’s source also noted that she had wowed the crowd by performing tarian silat.

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I am very grateful that I could make history a second time for our beloved country.

Chetty credited Malaysians’ continued moral support and prayers for helping her reach third place. “I am very grateful that I could make history a second time for our beloved country,” she told Bernama. “Twenty-eight years ago, we also won second runner-up. After so long, this is another history for our country.”

Messages of congratulations spread across social media. Users praised her work on Project Lestari Laut, which has brought education to Orang Asli children since 2022, and celebrated her as an achievement Malaysia could be proud of. Chetty will join Dominguez in travelling internationally for humanitarian and related duties.

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Twenty-eight years ago, we also won second runner-up. After so long, this is another history for our country.