Poland's Karolina Bielawska has been crowned Miss Universe for the year 2021, beting contestants from 96 other countries, including Miss India Manasa Varanasi, who stood 11th at the international beauty pageant. The 70th edition of the event was held on Wednesday night at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"When I heard my name I was shocked, I still can't believe it. I am honoured to wear the Miss World crown and can't wait to get to work. I will remember this amazing chapter in Puerto Rico for the rest of my life," Bielawska said after being crowned Miss World 2021.This is the second Miss World title for Poland. Aneta Kreglicka won the coveted pageant back in 1989 for the country.

Miss USA Shree Saini, an Indian-American, emerged the first runner-up, followed by Côte D'Ivoire's Olivia Yace.

Our newly crowned Miss World Karolina Bielawska from Poland with 1st Runner Up Shree Saini from United States 2nd Runner up Olivia Yace from Côte d’Ivoire#missworld pic.twitter.com/FFskxtk0KO
— Miss World (@MissWorldLtd) March 17, 2022

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A post shared by MISS WORLD 2022 (@karolinabielawska)

Manasa Varanasi's making it to the top 13 comes almost three months after India's Harnaaz Sandhu became Miss Universe 2021, 21 years after India brought home the crown.

The official Instagram account of Femina Miss India expressed gratitude towards Manasa Varanasi, from Hyderabad, Telangana, for representing the country. "You may have not won the crown but you have won millions of hearts, @manasa5varanasi. "You've made us immensely proud with your beautiful representation of our nation and we cannot wait to welcome you back home," the post shared on Thursday read.

Also Read: Unknown Facts of Miss India Manasa Varanasi