2002
First of all, when it came down to making my final predictions, let me just say that I really don�t have a clear winner. Every year that I have been making predictions, the women that I have chosen as my winners (Denny Mendez, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Carolina Indriago, Lara Dutta, and Evelina Papantoniou) have exuded a mystical aura from a picture that I just associate with the feel of a winner. This year, I have seen several girls with top 10 potential but there are flaws that I have seen in many of them that hinder me from predicting a clear winner. I must have made about 50 lists with different possibilities and I�m still not happy with my final list. Having said that, here are my final predictions.
FINAL PREDICTIONS
Winner=Germany-Natascha Borger
Why have I chosen Natascha? Well, for one thing, we all know that she competed in Miss Venezuela 2000 (when Eva Ekvall won) as Miss Yaracuy but did not make the top 10 there. Now, she has used her dual citizenship to her advantage and took the German crown. This proves that this girl is a fighter. She went against the odds. She didn�t win Miss Venezuela, the most competitive national title in the world, but then again neither did Claudia Moreno and she was first runner up in Miss Universe 2000. Natascha has a killer body, a gown presentation that will widen everyone�s eyes and a look that is similar to former Miss Venezuela, Veruska Ramirez, who was first runner up in Miss Universe 1998. Natascha has so many arrows pointing to her that I just couldn�t deny them.
1st Runner Up=Italy-Anna Rigon
Anna�s so lovely. I really don�t see any flaws with her. Swimsuit and gown are both great and she looks like a talker based on her interview but I�m not hearing much about her and I�m wondering why.
2nd Runner Up=Turkey-Cagla Kubat
When I first saw her pictures, I thought this lovely girl with a beautiful face was top 5 material. In interview, she seems very warm and sincere so I hope she does well.
3rd Runner Up=USA-Shauntay Hinton
Shauntay�s killer body and excellent interview skills will take her far. There is some question in my mind about the events of September 11th working in Shauntay�s favor, possibly even giving her the crown but on the whole, Shauntay is strong and is expected to do well.
4th Runner Up=Venezuela-Cynthia Lander
Cynthia carries on the Venezuelan tradition. Great body and gown. At the time she won Miss Venezuela, she looked like a clone of Marena Bencomo, Miss Venezuela 97 but now that she dyed and straighten her hair, she looks like a new person. In terms of interview, she seems sweet but not as smart.
SEMIFINALISTS
India-Neha Dhupia
Neha was originally one of my favorites. She looked stunning everywhere I saw her and then I saw her in the preliminary swimsuit competition. Why is she wearing her panties in such an unflattering manner??? Neha still is very strong in interview and I love the gown. It�s about time that India chose a black gown�and a glamourous one at that!
Russia-Oxana Federova
Oxana was another one who I actually had in mind as my winner at one time but her stance in swimsuit is not very good and her gown looks too teen for an adult competition. She has a stunning face and she looks like she has strong interview skills and I would like to see her do well so let�s see what happens.
South Africa-Vanessa Carreira
Vanessa seems strong in all three competitions but sometimes I think her face looks a little chubby. She looks nice in swimsuit, nice in gown, and also gave a good interview.
Sweden-Malou Hansson
Sure, she�s the first black Miss Sweden but this girl has a spunk that is actually quite rare in this year�s competition. I like her Beyonce Knowles/Lisa �Left Eye� Lopez-look. Malou was another one I considered as the winner just because of her spunkiness.
China-Ling Zhuo
Surely there�s plenty of room for the first delegate from the most populated country in the world, is there not??? Actually, Ling�s presentation in gown and swimsuit made me think that she really does have what it takes. Although her face is not as beautiful as that of Bing Li, Miss China-World 2001, I think Ling has potential.
FIVE ALTERNATES
Dominican Republic-Ruth Ocumarez
In interview, she reminds me of Joyce Giraud, Miss Puerto Rico 98. Ruth just has this irresistible quality about her. I used to think that she looked like she wanted it too much and that she was the kind of delegate that could crash and burn but now I see great possibilities in this girl. Being the neighboring country to Puerto Rico must have given her that much more confidence.
Colombia-Vanessa Mendoza
This was another one that I really liked but her presentation was not as powerful as I was hoping for. The gown with the floral print looks so nice and she seems pretty good in swimsuit but interview could have been better.
Japan-Mina Chiba
A new crown this year sponsored by Mikimoto pearls of Japan. Hmmm�When I first saw Mina, I thought she had no chance of making the top 10 but then I saw her in preliminaries and I was amazed at what a vast improvement I saw! Those legs! Not only that but after watching her interview, I saw that she carries the tradition of Japanese girls for being so irresistibly cute!
Slovenia-Iris Mulej
Iris� incredible body and her sexy gown made her just undeniable in my eyes. One thing I�m wondering is why is hardly anyone talking about her?? Her interview skills are not really as strong as I would have liked to have seen but she seems warm and just has incredible sex appeal.
Puerto Rico-Isis Casalduc
I know. I know. How dare I?? Well, Isis has a nice face and seems very congenial but that�s all I see. Her presentation in preliminaries didn�t look as mature as I would have liked. Denise Quinones was much stronger but this girl does not come close to Denise. Isis is more of a Kim Pressler type.
FIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mexico-Erika Cruz
Erika looks great in swimsuit but the gown I don�t know about. I struggled with this one.
Nigeria-Chinenye Ochuba
She�s not the same caliber as Agbani Darego, last year�s Nigerian delegate, but Chinenye looks pretty good in swimsuit and gown. The interview seemed to be lacking at times, though.
France-Sylvie Tellier
This girl has style written all over her, especially in this breathtaking gown but I wasn�t too impressed with swimsuit, her eyes seem too far apart, and in her interview, she seems a little quiet.
Cyprus-Demetra Eleutheriou
A pleasant surprise! Great gown and fairly good in swimsuit. She could pull an upset but I don�t know what her chances are this year.
Panama-Yostin Pasek
She�s a good competitor so we�ll see what happens with her.
Other delegates worthy of mention for a variety of reasons: Philippines, Estonia, Netherlands, Canada, Curacao, Uruguay, Peru, Norway, Chile, Spain, Australia, Israel, Greece, Jamaica, Cayman Islands
So I have thrown 35 names at you and only time will tell who actually gets the nod. Of course, some of the semifinalists may not be any one of these girls that I�ve mentioned so let�s see what happens on May 29!
TOM�S FINAL PREDICTIONS FOR MMIISS UNIVERSE
Winner=Germany-Natascha Borger
1st Runner Up=Italy-Anna Rigon
2nd Runner Up=Turkey-Cagla Kubat
3rd Runner Up=USA-Shauntay Hinton
4th Runner Up=Venezuela-Cynthia Lander
SEMIFINALISTS
India-Neha Dhupia
Russia-Oxana Federova
South Africa-Vanessa Carreira
Sweden-Malou Hansson
China-Ling Zhuo
FIVE ALTERNATES
Dominican Republic-Ruth Ocumarez
Colombia-Vanessa Mendoza
Japan-Mina Chiba
Slovenia-Iris Mulej
Puerto Rico-Isis Casalduc
FIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mexico-Erika Cruz
Nigeria-Chinenye Ochuba
France-Sylvie Tellier
Cyprus-Demetra Eleutheriou
Panama-Yostin Pasek