Mid-Day

A jury of six women and five men selected Carine Felizardo from 15 finalists in the second annual edition of the contest, held at a Sao Paulo hotel.

Along with the title, 25-year-old Felizardo also received a cheque for 5000 reais.

“I am overwhelmed, very, very happy,” the Herald Sun quoted her as saying.

“I would like to thank those who voted for me, those who believed in me, my family, my friends,” she said.

Felizardo said that she was honoured to receive the unique title.

“I am very proud of my bumbum (as Brazilians call the backside), proud to represent the Brazilian woman,” she said, adding that she owed her victory to years of hard gym training.

The 15 finalists competed in Friday’s grand finale before a predominantly male crowd of journalists from around the world after surviving an online elimination round that drew participants from all around the country.

The jury gave its decision after the contestants had sashayed down the catwalk first in evening dresses and later in string bikinis.