Tibetan Contestant in the Running for Miss Asia 2016

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By Tenzin Samten / August 24, 2016;

Lobsang Kyizom being awarded her participation certificate Photo: Lobsang Kyizom Facebook

Lobsang Kyizom receiving her participation certificate
Photo: Lobsang Kyizom’s Facebook

Lobsang Kyizom, 22, a Tibetan woman living in Nepal, represented Tibet in the Manappuram Miss Asia 2016 pageant held at Kochi, Kerala from August 12 -18.

“I gained so much experience by taking part in this pageant. Representing Tibet was my main priority. Participating in this competition as [the] representative of Tibet shows Tibet as separate country rather than a part of China which made me feel very satisfied,” said Kyizom, speaking to Radio Free Asia. During the pageant, Kyizom performed the famous traditional Tibetan Relpa dance and also walked the catwalk in traditional Tibetan custom. “As I sashayed the runway in our Tibetan national costume, I almost broke into tears and that feeling is the achievement with which I set my step forward into the competition and I believe, as I grow older, this one particular moment will never fail to fill my chest with pride,” she posted on Facebook.

Kyizom, a first runner up in last year’s Miss Tibet 2015 pageant, competed with 18 young women from Asian and Eurasian countries for the Miss Asia 2016 title. The pageant aims to create platform for young women to showcase their looks and talent with a view to launching themselves in the coveted careers of fashion, film and advertising.

Trixia Marie Marana from Philippines was crowned Miss Asia 2016. The first runner-up was Yauheniya Vasilyeva‬ of Belarus, with Ankita Kharat of India declared as the second runner-up.