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The results of the much-awaited Miss Universe 2008 have come out. The top-crown of the year has gone to Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza. The 22-year-old Venezuelean beauty beat four other contestants - from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Mexico, to bag the diamond-studded golden crown, aspired by many.
The 1st runner up of Miss Universe 2008 was Miss Columbia Taliana Vargas, while Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez was the 2nd runner up. The position of the 3rd and 4th runner up went to Miss Russia Vera Krasova and Miss Mexico Elisa Najera, respectively.
Miss Universe 2008, held on 13th July, saw 80 contestants competing against each other, in the seaside city of Nha Trang, for one of the most coveted titles of the world. Probably the tension of the competition was too much for Miss USA Crystle Steward, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown, just as she made her entrance after being inducted into the top 10. However, she quickly recovered from the fall and carried on, as if nothing had happened. This is the second, consecutive, time that Miss USA has tripped on stage.
Other contestants who made it to the top 10 included Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Columbia), Vera Krasova (Russia), and Claudia Moro (Spain). After the top ten finalists were announced, the show moved on to evening gowns round, which resulted in further narrowing down of the contestants, this time to five.
From amongst the five contestants, it was Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza who succeeded Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan. The contest, hosted by talk show star Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown, also crowned the winners of Best National Costume Award and Miss Congeniality. The Best National Costume Award, based on online votes, went to Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak. On the other hand, Miss El Salvador Rebeca Moreno was announced Miss Congeniality.
