Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia of Peru was crowned Miss World 2004 in a glittering ceremony held at Sanya's spectacular Beauty Crown Theatre on 4th December 2004.

Crowds cheered at the prestigious international awards ceremony, the 54th Miss World, which was a night of high drama, glamour and excitement, as, for the first time ever, the world decided who should win. The month-long event was brought to its explosive climax with as the 107 contestants finally learnt who would be the year's lucky winner.

The ceremony began with a breathtaking display of acrobatic skills and amazing local musical talent. The cheering crowds were then introduced to the show's presenters US TV star Troy McClain, British model and presenter Lisa Snowdon and Angela Chow, star of China's Pheonix Television channel.

The audience went wild as the 107 contestants, paraded in their finest evening wear created by top fashion designers from their home nations. They wore a sensational array of outfits in addition to their finest ballgowns, and the Miss World Beachwear range designed by Wilnelia Forsyth.

Global soul superstar Lionel Richie who had flown in from the USA especially to perform at Miss World performed his new single, "Long, Long Way To Go" to a star struck audience.

Belgium took the coveted award for World's Top Fashion Designer for her breathtaking creation. Having already experienced the spectacular local entertainments of a traditional 'thousand armed Buddha', the audience were treated to an electrifying performance by classical music sensations Il Divo, performing.

Jamaica, Tonoya Anne Toyloy, was announced as the winner of this Miss World Scholarship which saw her receive a bursary in order for her to continue her education.

Tensions mounted as the 107 girls were narrowed down to 15. PERU, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PHILIPPINES, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, POLAND, CZECH REPUBLIC, RUSSIA, VIETNAM, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA and NIGERIA. The 15 included the winners of the five fast track events. ANTIGUA, winner of the Talent Award, USA, winner of the Beach Beauty, WALES who won the Sport Award, Top Model winner MEXICO and the Contestant's Own Choice, AUSTRALIA. The other contestants applauded, looking genuinely thrilled for the final 15.

Anticipation grew when the world then decided who the final five contestants were. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PERU, PHILIPPINES, POLAND AND UNITED STATES.

A sensational medley was performed by Lionel Richie, when the megastar performed some of his best loved hits including 'Hello', 'Say You Say Me' and 'Three Times A Lady' to an ecstatic crowd. Relaxing in his dressing room backstage, he later commented, "These are really incredible women. Not only are they beautiful, they are smart, too. The world has had to make a tough decision."

The three girls who received the most votes were then announced UNITED STATES, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC and PERU in no particular order. The girls took to the center of the stage as the host's asked them how they were feeling.

Julia Morley then announced the third place contestant, UNITED STATES, leaving DOMINICAN REPUBLIC and PERU on stage, nervously waiting for Rosanna Davison to take to the stage and crown the winner. The girls looked on excitedly, as Rosanna waited to hear the announcement of the lucky winner.

Maria, said "The fact that I am the first Miss World to be decided by a global vote makes this award unbelievably precious. I will cherish the memories of tonight. Now that I have become a genuine world ambassador I intend to do everything in my power to promote the good causes that have been the driving force for Miss World for over half a century. I only hope that I can do the job with the dignity and panache that Rosanna Davison has done for the last year.

The Celebrity Panel, on hand to offer their opinions and expert analysis, were extremely impressed with the contestants and agreed that the world has had to make a very tough decision. Legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards commented, "It's always a great pleasure to watch Miss World, but to have been part of the show is a true honour. It must have been an impossible decision to make but I am sure the world has made the right choice." Home & Away actress Sally Richie agreed. "The girls look stunning and I am sure they have been an inspiration to women across the world."

The stunning ceremony drew to its end with a quite electrifying performance of one Lionel Richie's classic dance hits, 'Dancing on the Ceiling' as the crowd erupted and the girls began to dance.

Miss World Chairman Julia Morley commented, "This year has been a thrilling experience and particularly special as for the first time, the world has decided who their Miss World should be. I am sure that Maria will do a fabulous job over the next twelve months and be a wonderful ambassador for all the good causes that we have become associated with over the last 53 years. I would also like to thank the people of Sanya and Hainan for their fabulous hospitality. We have all been made to feel so welcome on this beautiful island. The Sheraton Sanya Resort yet again has been a fantastic home for us and has looked after us quite beautifully over the last month."

MISS WORLD - PERU - Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia

Continental winners:

Top 5

Top 15

World Aids Day - On 1st December a group of Miss World contestants gathered in honour of World AIDS Day to discuss with the assembled media, the impact that HIV and AIDS has on the world today, specifically in relation to their own countries. BRAZIL, PUERTO RICO, PHILIPPINES, TANZANIA, FIJI ISLANDS, SOUTH AFRICA and UNITED STATES were amongst the Miss World contestants who met with the press contingent that included Chinese and International press.

BRAZIL opened precedings where she spoke openly of the problems Brazil faced in dealing with the effects of HIV and AIDS but said she was encouraged 'by the programmes in schools that inform people about the dangers of HIV'. Preventing the spread of HIV was the most important part of the programme - education being the key. Indeed the theme that ran most clearly throughout the discussion was one of the need for education.

PUERTO RICO spoke movingly of her own education and admitted that when she had been at school there had been no information about HIV and AIDS. She believed that 'all of society needs to work together - the government, families, and schools' to provide adequate education. 'Communication is very important'.

PHILLIPINES stated that 'one of the advantages of being involved in Miss World is that you get to be an ambassador. You get the opportunity to talk about such issues as HIV and AIDS.' She summed up her thinking on the issue with what she called the three A's; Awareness (of HIV and AIDS), Acceptance (Not to stigmatise those who are infected), and Aid (not only to help those who are HIV +, but aid to help educate).

The next contestant to speak was TANZANIA, who reiterated how she believed that the Miss World pledge of Beauty With A Purpose is an ideal vehicle to help promote such issues. In particular she informed the audience of the problems endemic to Sub Saharan Africa. She spoke of education being 'essential for the future of Africa', and was particularly keen to stress the plight of women in Africa. She directly appealed to the listening press that 'you can never be too small to make a decision (to help)'.

The next speaker was qualified doctor FIJI ISLANDS who talked of the problems her home country had with the virus. She was keen to point out that HIV is indiscriminate in who it effects. 'Anybody, of any sex, any race, any age and either sex can be affected' and that is why it is key that everybody should be educated about the dangers.

SOUTH AFRICA made the point that HIV doesn't only 'infect a lot of people, it also affects a lot of people'. Spreading the message of safe sex was, she believed, essential.

U.S.A finished the conference by revealing the shocking statistics researched by the World Aids Day (www.worldaidsday.org). She told the stunned audience that every minute five people in the world die of AIDS related illnesses. Meaning that it is now the third biggest killer in the world. She spoke of it being a global emergency, that it was 'the defining moral issue of our day' and that education was the fundamental issue to be addressed. World AIDS Day is now in its 17th year. The aim of World AIDS Day is to bring to people's attention the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic in order to create change. Please visit www.worldaidsday.org for further details.

The United Kingdom had its first finalist in Miss World 2004, thanks to Miss Wales’ triumphant display of award-winning athleticism at the Best Sports Woman event.

Winner - Wales

Miss World premiered one of the greatest new female singing voices in the Talent Show, when Miss Antigua stunned the Sanya audience with an incredibly moving version of Barbra Streisand’s song Papa Can You Hear Me from the movie Yentl.

The audience at the Universal Hotel, the Official Theatre of the 54th Miss World, sat stunned as Antigua sang her heart out to take the crown in the Talent Contest and be fast-tracked to the Final. In addition, she received 25 bonus points towards her total points tally.

China gave a hypnotic performance of sword-wielding tai chi to clinch second place in the event, with Barbados making it a double for the islands with her original modern dance dramatisation entitled Beauty Comes to Earth, where beauty becomes earthbound woman, discovers the poetry of her limbs and is compelled to dance.

Antigua has been singing from the age of 12 but has never received any formal musical training. She taught herself to sing after only a few primary lessons from the chaplain at her school, and has been keeping up the practice since then. Winning this title marks a milestone in Antigua’s career, as well that of her country. "I am overwhelmed," she exclaimed. "No words can explain how I feel at this moment. I am in a daze, a dream. I don’t think my country has ever made it this far in any international competition. My people will be so proud of me and that is very satisfying. I am really stunned, I just can’t sum it up any better.

"Coming into this competition I felt that I had a chance but when I saw everyone else in rehearsal, I was unsure of how I would do. But I suppose that is only natural when you are surrounded by so much talent."

Winner - Antigua

As guests gathered at the Universal Resort's grand theatre in Sanya, the Miss World contestants prepared backstage for what was to become one of the most hotly contested and exciting events of Miss World 2004. In the audience were Chinese guests, local dignitaries, international visitors, the Fashion Show's judging panel led by Chairman Julia Morley, as well as many of the girl's parents, here to support the contestants in the fourth of five Fast-track Miss World 2004 events.

The show kicked off with all 107 contestants taking to the stage led out by Ecuador, who dazzled in a shimmering white gown. It quickly became apparent that the competition would be fierce, with all of the girls sporting stunning eveningwear, hair and make-up. After the opening parade, the twenty shortlisted contestants were asked to take to the front of the stage, as the remaining 87 waved goodbye for the rest of the night's competition. The shortlisted twenty were:

Angola, Aruba, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, People's Republic of China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Georgia, Greece, India, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago and United States.

Winner - Mexico

The beachwear final was the first of the five fast track events to take place on 14th November. The setting was the beautiful Sheraton Sanya resort. The weather was glorious, the sun was sweltering and the palm trees and the golden sand created the perfect location for 107 beautiful contestants to model swimwear in front of a panel of judges.

The judging panel consisted of Claudio Nardini (Manger of the Sheraton Sanya Resort), Krish Naidoo (International advisor to the Miss World Organisation), Paul Kirrage (Producer of the Miss World 2004 show), and Wilnelia Forsyth (ex Miss World and designer of Miss World beachwear), hosted by the Miss World Chairperson, Ms. Julia Morley.

When the beach beauty top ten contestants were named, all ten contestants retreated to change into a unison beach wear, a bright blue swimsuit. On their return they were all called out individually to parade once more in front of the judges. The competition was fierce as each and every contestant was looking every bit a beach beauty and dazzled in the Sanya Sun. Eventually the judges made their decisions and as the crowd waited anxiously for the result the top ten once again changed and returned wearing red bikinis.

There was much excitement in the air and the press were in a frenzy looking for the best position to get their photographs as the winner of the first fast track event was about the announced. Finally the results were announced and in the following positions

It was only fitting that designer of the Miss World beachwear former Miss World Wilnelia Forsyth should present the winner with her trophy. The winner will receive an automatic fast rack in to the miss World Finals plus 25 bonus points.

Winner - United States of America

1st runner-up - Australia

2nd runner-up - Trinidad & Tobago