From Miss Japan’s cartwheeling antics to Miss Philippines’ shoulder rolls, the preliminary competition of this year’s iteration of the Miss Grand International did not disappoint in terms of providing viewers with amusing entertainment on the run-up to its grand finals on Oct. 18.
The Miss Grand International 2025 preliminary competition was held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, where 76 candidates from all over the world strutted their stuff in the swimsuit and evening gown events.
The Miss Grand International pageant has positioned itself as a platform for entertainment, and has encouraged the participants to conduct themselves differently from the other contests where the ladies are expected to be more demure.
Because of this, the candidates in the international and national affiliate competitions perform outrageous and outlandish stage routines, with extra movements, daring spin turns, and other antics. Even the gowns and costumes have become over-the-top.
Erika Ishibashi of Japan first showcased her cartwheeling prowess on the swimsuit contest. She upped the ante at the preliminary competition when she did multiple cartwheels, but slipped when she attempted a flip. She, however, recovered gracefully and playfully posed on the floor before standing again.
Thailand’s Sarunrat Puagpipat opened her routine sitting on the heel of one of her feet, with one leg crossed over the other. She trained under reigning queen, CJ Opiaza for her national contest.
Ghana’s Faith Porter, meanwhile, took advantage of her pipes during her introduction in her Ryan Uson-designed gown and delivered her country’s name as a song, enchanting the crowd with her angelic voice.
The Philippines’ Emma Tiglao did her signature hair-tussling move and also glided on the runway, with exaggerated hip movements and shoulder rolls in both the swimsuit and gown segments. The evening gown competition became a showcase of capes and long flowy skirts, similar to what Opiaza wore during the preliminary and final competitions of last year’s pageant.
Opiaza is set to relinquish her Miss Grand International title to her successor on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the same venue of the preliminary competition.