London: Miss Turkey Azra Akin on December 7 won the coveted Miss World contest edging out 91 other contestants, including India's Shruti Sharma, who failed to be among the 10 finalists.

Miss Colombia Natalia Peralta was the runner-up, while Miss Peru Marina Mora Montero took the third place.

With a gleaming smile and a graceful bow, Azra Akin accepted the glittering tiara and a 100,000 Pounds prize from last year's winner, Nigeria's Agbani Darego.

In all, 92 contestants from around the world took part in the show hastily put up at the massive Alexandra Palace here, after Muslim-Christian rioting in November 2002 forced it out of Nigeria.

The pageant's motto was 'beauty with a purpose', and among this year's contestants were lawyers, businesswomen, architects and a doctor.

The 10 finalists were: Miss Australia Nicole Gazal; Miss China Yingna Wu; Miss Colombia Natalia Peralta; Miss Nigeria Chinenye Ochuba; Miss Norway Kathrine Sortland; Miss Peru Marina Mora Montero; Miss Philippines Katherine Manalo; Miss Turkey Azra Akin; Miss United States Rebekah Revels; and Miss Venezuela Goizeder Azua Barrios.

Six entrants boycotted the competition and the assets of Miss World Holdings have been frozen by the High Court.

Sources said about 800 tickets were sold for the pageant, which is being broadcast in 142 countries, but not in the United Kingdom (UK).

PTI