Preparations for the grand ceremony to crown Miss World 2018 are in high gear, with only seven days left to go, at the popular beach city of Sanya in southern China, on December 8.

It is the 68th edition of the pageant that was launched in 1951.

So far, contestants from over 120 countries have participated the head-to-head challenge, top model challenge, and talent challenge. Next week they will participate in the sports challenge, as all the challenges give the winner an automatic pass to the top 30.

This year, Rwanda is being represented by reigning Miss Rwanda 2017, Liliane Iradukunda, who travelled to Sanya earlier this month.

Iradukunda, however, needs the support of her own people in order to make it to the top 30. She can be voted for on the Mobstar app, or liking her pictures on the Miss World website and Instagram page.

Iradukunda, however, said that she is hopeful that she will make it, as she is doing her best to represent Rwanda.

"The pageant is going well so far, I got a chance to learn new things, meet new people with different cultures and the good thing is that they are friendly which makes this competition fun. I’m really grateful to be part of this journey, this is an incredible experience.

We’re getting close to the finale and about my chances of winning miss world, all I can say is that this is a competition. We are 120 and I think that we all have chances to win for now I’m doing my best,” she said.

This is the third year in a row, a Rwandan beauty queen will be gracing the prestigious Miss World beauty pageant stage.

Miss Rwanda 2016, Jolly Mutesi made history as the first Rwandan to compete in Miss World, and went on to be selected among the top 24 finalists out of more than a hundred contestants.

Elsa Iradukunda also represented Rwanda last year and although she did not win the crown, she left a good impression at the global pageant and gave fellow contestants and guests a lesson or two about Rwanda and its rich traditions.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw