KUALA LUMPUR: Sandra Lim Shue Hui, 23, has created history today by ending the country's 54-year Miss Universe drought.
She secured a spot among the top 30 out of 125 contestants at this year's pageant in Mexico City, Mexico.
Her achievement was not just in the eye of the beholder, but a historic moment since Josephine Wong last made it to the Top 15 semifinals in 1970.
The actress, model and martial artiste was expected to achieve this milestone thanks to her consistently strong performance.
Lim, who hails from Selangor, was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 on Sept 7. From the start, she was a popular favourite for the title.
However, she described her journey to the crown as anything but easy, as a few days before the competition, she suffered a head injury.
"Two days before 'pageant week', I was filming a movie when I hit my head on the pavement and started bleeding. I was so worried I might faint.
"I had to balance work and the competition. This month alone, I stayed up late for four to five days preparing for this event.
"That determination is what I want to showcase to the world. Whatever we aim for, as long as we put our heart and soul into it, we can achieve it," she said.
Notably, her presentation of a national costume inspired by the legendary Puteri Walinong Sari during the Miss Universe 2024 round had received global acclaim.
The costume was designed by renowned local designer Ezuwan Ismail.
Denmark representative Victoria Kjaer emerged as the most beautiful woman this year when she was crowned Miss Universe 2024.