Panama City (Panama): Miss Dominican Republic, Amelia Vega, won the 2003 Miss Universe title on June 4, topping 70 other contestants, including India's Nikita Anand.

Outgoing titleholder Justine Pasek of Panama slipped the crown on the head of the winner, who smiled widely and waved to the crowd.

The first runner up was Miss Venezuela, the 22-year-old who almost couldn't come to the competition, because of financial problems in her home country. A donor finally turned up to meet the costs of her trip.

Second-runner up was South Africa's Cindy Nell, 21, a tourism promoter.

Miss Serbia and Montenegro, Sanja Papic, was third runner up and Miss Japan, Miyako Miyzaki, was fourth runner up.

Dropping out after reaching the top 10 were women from Trinidad and Tobago, the Czech Republic, Namibia, Canada and Brazil. An earlier cut took out Misses USA, Greece, Panama, Angola and Peru.

However, India's Anand even failed to make it to the top 10.

Kai Davis of Antigua and Barbuda was named Miss Congeniality. Miss Puerto Rico, Carla Tricoli was named Miss Photogenic.

Agencies