South African clinches runner-up title in maiden Miss Wheelchair World

South African runway model Lebohang Monyatsi came second place in the first-ever Miss Wheelchair World held in the Polish capital Warsaw.

She lost the crown to 23-year-old student from Belarus, Aleksandra Chichikova, who made history among the 24 contestants from 19 countries as the world’s first beauty queen in a wheelchair.

Lebohang Monyatsi is Africa’s first runway model in a wheelchair; and one of the two contestants from Africa who participated in the pageant.

She is not new to pageants being the only finalist in a wheelchair at the Face of the Globe 2017 international beauty pageant.

Lebohang Monyatsi is a Social Psychology graduate and currently studying Communication Sciences. She has represented her country in Wheelchair Basketball between 2008 and 2015.

She was given the Extra Ordinary Champion award at the 2017 South African Youth Awards in April for her achievement across the African continent despite her challenge.

The other African contestant is 25-year-old Victoria Jose from Angola.

The international event seeks to change the attitude of people towards physically challenged women who are in wheelchairs, event organisers The Only One Foundation – based in Poland – said in a statement.

“Our purpose is to show the world that there are beautiful women in wheelchairs in countries all over the world and to remind you that the wheelchair is not a constraint but an addition to your personality,” they said.

“Every single woman in a wheelchair has the right to be whoever she wants and to feel beautiful,” the organisers added.

Among the finalists were contestants from Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.A.

It took two months to select the 24 finalists who were announced in August. They underwent preparatory workshops including rehearsals, photo sessions, conferences and visits since September 29 before the final on October 7, the organisers said.

Poland has been hosting its national Miss Wheelchair pageant since 2013 and The Only One Foundation calls on other countries to join them in hosting national Miss Wheelchair pageants.

Miss Wheelchair World 2017 1stPrinces is #SouthAfrica
Thank you for all the support you have shown me throughout. It doesn't end here pic.twitter.com/OfabpkUs2l

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Photo Credit: misswheelchairworld.com