User:Mauriziok/Miss International 2018

Miss International 2018, the 58th Miss International pageant, was held on November 9, 2018 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Kevin Liliana from Indonesia crowned her successor Mariem Velazco from Venezuela at the end of the event. This is the third time in Miss International history that the finals night saw the return of the previous year's runners-up to crown their respective successors. This year Miss International comeback edition with the theme "Cheer All Woman" alongside Miss International Japan 2019.

A total of 78 contestants from countries and territories competed in this year's Miss International pageant, surpassing the previous record of 73 contestants in 2014, making the biggest turnout in the pageant's history.

The pageant was hosted by Tetsuya Bessho on his fifth consecutive year of Miss International.

Background
On April 12, 2018, it was announced during a website conference by Akemi Shimomura, the president of the International Cultural Association and the president of Miss International Organization, that the 2018 pageant would be held in Tokyo Dome City Hall, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, for the third consecutive year on Friday, November 9, 2018.

Order of announcements
(Vote?

Pageant
Unlike in 2017 contestants were classified under five continents: (1) Europe, (2) Oceania, (3) Africa, (4) Americas, and (5) Asia. During the Competitions Rounds; National Costume, Swimwear, and Evening Gown, then the contestants were trimmed down to 15 Semifinalists, after which, the judges narrowed the finalists down to the Top 8, then judges decided the Top 8 to compete in the question and answer portion. and then the judges choose Top 5 which Miss International 2018 and her four Runners-up like 2017 format.

Contestants
77 contestants competed for the title.

Returns
Last competed in 1961:
 * 🇲🇬 Madagascar

Last competed in 1999:
 *  Cote d'Ivoire

Last competed in 2011:
 * 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

Last competed in 2014:
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇩🇪 Germany

Last competed in 2015:
 * 🇰🇪 Kenya
 * 🇷🇴 Romania

Last competed in 2016:
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * 🇦🇼 Aruba
 * 🇨🇺 Cuba
 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇬🇺 Guam
 *  Northern Marianas
 * 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
 * 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Withdrawals

 * 🇧🇾 Belarus – The organization of Miss International Belarus made an announcement that Margarita Martynova couldn't compete in this year pageant due to lack of preparation and scheduling conflict with the other international pageant that she wanted to compete.
 * 🇰🇭 Cambodia – The organization of Miss International Cambodia made an announcement that Dy Sokrakheta can't compete in this year pageant due to lack preparation, Visa problem and sponsorship.
 * 🇬🇮 Gibraltar – Miss International Gibraltar 2018, Lilly Gomez can't compete in this year pageant because to lack of preparation.
 * 🇱🇹 Lithuania – No national pageant was held due to lack of sponsorship. The organization of Miss International Lithuania also made an announcement that they will not be appointing anybody to compete in this year's pageant.
 * 🇳🇴 Norway – Miss International Norway 2018, Helene Abildnes can't compete in this year pageant for personal reasons.
 * 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone – Miss International Sierra Leone 2018, Michaella Oladuni Tommy can't compete this year due to visa problem.
 * 🇹🇳 Tunisia – Miss International Tunisia, Dorsaf Zouaghi was handpicked to compete in this year, but she can't compete in this year's pageant because of scheduling conflict with the other international pageant that she wants to compete.