Puerto Rican beauty Kiara Rodriguez Lugo was crowned International Queen of the Sea at the 51st Fiesta del Mar in Santa Marta, after an intense battle with rounds of fancy dress, ball gowns, and finally swimsuits, reports El Tiempo.
Lugo, who says her best attribute is her competence, beat a field of models from around the world and was honored in a coronation ceremony at the Eduardo Santos Stadium.
“Actually I’m rather excited and so grateful to the Colombian people,” Lugo gushed after the event.
The night was not without glitches, however, as rain postponed the coronation by two hours and saw Miss El Salvador Aldana Mayra Najarro take an embarrassing tumble as she slipped mid strut.
The night belonged to Lugo though, and the young beauty walked away with the keys to a brand new Chevrolet Spark and a ticket for a Caribbean cruise.
The 20-year-old Puerto Rican hottie has an impressive resume, with high placings at the Miss Teen World Puerto Rico 2006, Miss Teen Wonderland 2006, Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2008, and Miss Puerto Rico Earth 2010.
“At 14 years old I became interested in beauty pageants, because it aroused in me the desire to represent my country,” said the newly crowned queen.