Dancer becomes Japan's second Miss Universe

Riyo Mori, Miss Japan 2007, reacts as she is named Miss Universe 2007 at the 56th annual Miss Universe competition at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on Monday. Mori, 20, was the second Japanese woman to win the title. PHOTO: AFP

A raven-haired Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, was crowned Miss Universe 2007 on Monday in a contest marked by protests, a banned dress and the withdrawal of one beauty queen on the ground the pageant degrades women.

Dressed in a black, red and purple gown, the 20-year old Mori nervously grabbed the hands of first runner-up, Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, just before the winner was announced. Then she threw her hands up and covered her mouth, overcome with emotion.

But she composed herself enough to catch the diamond-and-pearl-studded headpiece valued at US$250,000 as it slipped off her head when Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico crowned her. Mori immediately placed it back on her head.

"My mind went blank," she said of the winning moment.

During the evening gown parade, Miss USA, Rachel Smith, slipped on the runway and landed on her bottom, although the slip didn't stop her earning fifth place.

The last time Japan won the pageant was in 1959 when Akiko Kojima became the first Miss Universe from Asia.

News of the win was flashed across TV screens across Japan yesterday, sparking pride, especially in Mori's hometown of Shizuoka, near Mount Fuji.