For the first time since its 2016 inception, Mr. Supranational preceded its female counterpart. It's a departure from previous years, when the former would follow the latter after 24 hours. No clear explanation was provided regarding the switch, but, whatever the case, this edition had its share of milestones.
South Africa won the contest for the first time, which also marks a first for both the continent and for men of color. This is courtesy of former Mr. World 1st Runner-Up, Fezile Mkhize, a medical doctor and actor from Bloemfontein, who is now also the contest's oldest winner at 33.With this feat, the country now shares with India the distinction of having won both male and female divisions of this pageant – only two years apart, at that.
Pinoys, on the other hand, will remember this edition for another obvious reason. After stalling in the Top 20 since 2016, the Philippines not only broke the Top 10 for the first time this year, it also garnered a 2nd Runner-Up finish, thanks to the Guamanian-born Brandon Espiritu. It's now the third highest finish by a Filipino in the Supranational system's history, and hopefully, a sign of more lofty placements to come.
So, obviously, it's double the pressure on Alethea Ambrosio, who hopes to follow-through Pauline Amelinckx's impressive previous finish, and double the excitement for this year's Miss Supranational:
And with Preliminary Performance now accounted for, here's how I stacked some of this year's roster:
POSSIBILITIES AND DARK HORSES. Australia, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Romania, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay
We start this tier with Gibraltar, riding high from last year's breakthrough, with a fair shot at a surprise two-peat Also aiming for back-to-back placements are Malaysia, Netherlands, and Colombia, who is strangely not top of mind in her continent.
Germany's a solid performer. But then again, so were her last two ignored predecessors. Same goes for Sierra Leone, who might just benefit from her male counterpart's success. Also hoping to restore their countries' fortunes are Chile, Romania, Pakistan, which finally makes its second appearance, and Team Oceania, Australia and New Zealand.
Guatemala's gathering steam via Supra-Fan Vote, while Panama and T&T might have impressed with their credentials. And finally, we have the underrated stunners from Malta and Uruguay, who shone in preliminaries despite the lack of buzz.
CLOSE SHOTS. Botswana, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Haiti, Iceland, Nepal, United Kingdom, Venezuela
The next 10 delegates make us wish there were more slots.
Hailing from the reigning country might still put Ecuador in contention – even though the Latin contingent is ruthless, as always. There's also Haiti, not a preliminary standout, but might just pull through by way of Supra-Chat, and Woman of Substance winner United Kingdom, who likely gave a stellar interview. It's rather sad to relegate a powerhouse like Venezuela in this tier for now, but it's tough to decipher which region's bound to dominate. Ditto for Dominican Republic, who's improved from Miss International 2017, and Botswana, a Supra-Model placer. Canada and Nepal were also preliminary revelations, and with luck, this could be the former's first placement since 2015 and the latter's first ever. Wrapping up this tier are two Nordic contenders. There's Finland, which is rarely in contention these days, and Iceland, who might have risked her chances in evening gown.
TOP 24 PICKS. Aruba, Bolivia, Côte d'Ivoire, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, United States
There's fair chance the Philippines can still protect its streak, following Brandon Espiritu's record finish and with Supra-Fan Vote still being a possibility. But in case that doesn't transpire, at least there's also Japan, a half-Pinay celebrity who might be a worthy proxy. Also hoping to protect their countries' streaks are Spain, who might benefit from having a countryman in the panel, and Mexico, a Supra-Model placer.
And speaking of Supra-Model, that could very well be the ticket for Thailand, Bolivia, Aruba, and Côte d'Ivoire, regardless of who wins the fast track. For the latter two, it's poised to be their countries' first placement. Also gunning for a breakthrough is Laos, a Eurasian beauty who's blossomed since Miss Universe 2020. Her male counterpart's Top Five finish is also a good sign.
Nigeria might also put her country back in contention as the likely Supra-Chat champ. Same goes for the statuesque United States, who's part Polish. Finally, we have Slovakia, another Supra-Model finalist who's easily her country's best shot here in almost a decade.
Now we move on to my Top 12.
TOP 12 PICKS. Denmark, India, Myanmar, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Vietnam
Since 2022, Miss Universe also-rans from Poland have found vindication here. Who knows how far this year's bet can go, given that she was already deemed a contender in El Salvador?
Hoping for consecutive Top 12 placements are Peru, a near-dead ringer to 2019's Janick Maceta; Puerto Rico, another showstopping favorite; and India, who might just celebrate Asha Bhat's 10th anniversary in a huge way. Then, from last year's Top Five, there's Vietnam, who's more than capable to go this far, fast track or no fast track.
Another ASEAN contender is Myanmar, an erstwhile constant placer in this pageant that's due a welcome resurgence. This influencer might just make it happen. And, finally, there's Denmark, with the performance to substantiate the strong fan support.
RUNNER-UPS PICKS. Brazil, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Indonesia
This year proves to be regionally balanced, when it comes to its frontrunners. And, accordingly, my Top Five picks each represent a continental group.
If Indonesia doesn't win this year, they could very well still claim another record, granted Vietnam or Myanmar doesn't overtake her out of nowhere. Same goes for accomplished veteran Curaçao, who might just clinch her island's best, if not exceed her previous feat. Brazil's preliminary performance was, by far, the strongest, so she might just finish what Sancler Frantz started. And, finally, there's Czech Republic. Some may argue that she might have been outshone in preliminaries. Doesn't matter. There's a high chance she can still make it to this round with ease and can still easily win with her face alone.
PICK FOR MISSSUPRANATIONAL 2024. South Africa
In a year of many potential crown contenders with no clear-cut runaway choice, it will all probably boil down to the best response.
We've heard flashes of Bryoni Govender's profundity and wisdom before, even if her Miss Universe 2023 journey ended in the Top 20. She made a mark, nonetheless. And now that she's back in action, more unstoppable than ever, she's bound to obliterate the competition when it's time to speak. It might just happen. And following Dr. Mkhize's landmark finish, the Rainbow Nation might as well hit a double milestone.
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