THE last of the three Miss Universe mini-competitions - the swimwear segment - has been won by Mexico's Elisa Najera.

The 1.8m-tall student beat the other 79 contestants to win a crystal trophy and US$2,000 ($2,700) in cash at the Swimwear Show on Thursday.

Elisa, who has represented her city and state at national dance contests, said of her win: 'All the girls looked stunning in their bikinis and the jurors must have had a difficult decision to make.

'The award is an encouragement for me as I prepare to compete in the next several events.'

Elisa is studying engineering in food industries.

The others in the top five for the event, held in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, were Miss India, Miss USA, Miss Colombia and Miss Spain, reported The Courier Mail.

The first two mini-competitions were the traditional costume presentation, won by Miss India, Ms Simran Kaur Mundi, and the ao dai Fashion Show, won by Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza.

The ao dai is the traditional dress for women in Vietnam.

Over the next few days, the judges will conduct interviews with the contestants.

The field will eventually be reduced to 15 girls, who will compete in the final on 13 Jul. The final will be hosted by Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Mel B.

Not in top 5, but final still to come

SHENISE WONG, 26

Singapore's representative struck a confident pose at the Miss Universe swimwear event on Thursday.

The 1.7m-tall foreign exchange broker has previously won three titles: Miss Asia Pacific Singapore, in 1999, International Miss Singapore, in 2002, and Miss Singapore World, in 2005.

She said she won't do any more contests because 'this is priceless and I want to forever be known as Miss Singapore Universe'.

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