Philippines' Nikki de Moura survives 'dangerous' swimsuit walk at Miss Grand International 2023

MANILA, Philippines — The ALV Pageant Circle recently held a send-off party at the Savoy Hotel Manila for Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Nikki de Moura of Cagayan de Oro before her departure to Hanoi for the Miss Grand International (MGI) 2023 coronation night.

The Filipino-Brazilian beauty may, finally, win for the Philippines the elusive golden crown. 

In an Instagram post yesterday, Nikki showcased her bikini body in a walk-off with Miss Grand Russia Anastasiia Volkonskaia.

MGI's swimsuit competition was beamed live from the pageant's YouTube channel yesterday.

A post shared by Λ V | Anastasiia Volkonskaia (@nastasya__wolf)

Some pageant vloggers, however, expressed concern for the swimsuit contest as it was held by the beach, following a rainfall, which made the lengthy ramp wet.

"Kinabahan talaga ako kasi medyo delikado (dangerous) talaga 'yung ganitong presentation sa swimsuit lalo na kapag umuulan," vlogger Story by Anthony said on Facebook.

"Kaya kung napansin n'yo, medyo natalisod si Nikki de Moura sa swimsuit presentation..." he added.

Philippine Queenology, however, thinks that Nikki still "nailed" her walk despite sky-high heels and amid a slippery surface.

Last year's representative, Roberta Angela Tamondong was elevated to a 5th runner-up position from her Top 20 placement. The closest that a Filipina got to the crown were in the years 2016 and 2020, when Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo both won as 1st runners-up - Cordoves to Ariska Putri Pertiwi of Indonesia, and Bernardo to Abena Appiah of the United States.

In recent years, pageant aficionados have observed that one of the ways to win a spot in the semifinals is through the pre-arrival dinner poll, where the highest votes from five countries will join a special dinner with MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil, vice-president Teresa Chaivisut, and reigning queen Isabella Mennin.

The 11th Miss Grand International finals will unfold on October 25, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Reigning titleholder Isabella Mennin of Brazil will crown her successor at the culmination of the pageant rites. Stay tuned!

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