MISS CHINA BECOMES MISS WORLD 2012

The United States may have thrashed China at the Olympics, but the Asian powerhouse has got its own back, with Miss China overcoming Californian beauty Claudine Book to win Miss World 2012.
In front of a home crowd, China's Yu Wenxia was crowned this year's Miss World at the international beauty pageant held today.

Malibu-raised Book didn't even place, with Sophie Elizabeth Moulds of Wales coming first runner up and Australia's Jessica Michelle Kahawaty securing third place.
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Winner: Newly crowned Miss World, Yu Wenxia, centre, of China with first runner-up Sophie Elizabeth Mould, left, of Wales and second runner-up Jessica Michelle Kahawaty, right, of Australia

This is the second time Miss China has been awarded the title, which differs to the more well-known Miss Universe pageant, owned by Donald Trump.

The last time was in 2007 when Zhang Zilin took the honour.

 

Book, a stunning University of California Los Angeles student who studies film and Italian and collects exotic birds, was not expected to win the sought-after crown after failing to make the cut as a finalist for the swimsuit competition.
Book, 20, also stumbled in the talent category, which was dominated by Miss World Philippines, Quenerich Rehman, whose beat-boxing performance of 'Teach Me How to Dougie' has gone viral.

Stunner: Claudine Book, 20, missed out after stumbling in the swimsuit and talent categories. She is studying film and Italian at UCLA and collects exotic birds

Missed out: California beauty Claudine Book, pictured, missed out to Miss China in today's pageant

Lost: Book, pictured right, failed to place in the event

Wenxia, 23, is a music student who wants to become a music teacher and secured the title at the pageant held for the first time in the Inner Mongolian city of Ordos -- one of the richest regions in China thanks to its abundant natural resources.
In her spare time, Wenxia enjoys hiking, travelling, singing, dancing and playing the piano, according to the Miss World website.
She describes herself as someone who follows her dreams with a smile and says her favourite food is dumplings.
Book, who minors in business at UCLA, would like to focus on acting in the future.
In her Miss World profile, she describes herself as an optimistic and driven person who wants to make people happy.
She enjoys hiking, running and surfing, and says she likes anything sweet, especially chocolate.

Talented: Miss China Yu Wenxia, pictured right, beat USA's Claudine Book, right, to take the crown

Mongolia: The finals of the Miss World pageant were held for the first time in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, today

Miss World differs to Miss Universe as contestants don’t just compete in swimwear and evening wear -- they also compete in talent, fitness, and 'Beauty with a Purpose,' where contestants’ charitable efforts are rewarded.
Fashion designers from each country are also able to showcase their work on their respective contestants.

Miss World flies under the radar in the U.S. though some former contestants have found fame after their reigns, including actress Halle Berry and Wonder Woman Lynda Carter.

According to The Washington Post, Miss World Unites States is not even selected through a national pageant, rather she is a model chosen to represent the country by a modeling agency.