After weeks of various activities, two delegates from Africa have clinched multiple distinctions in the 2025 Miss Earth pageant – Ghana’s Cherise Asher Ayisi and Reunion’s Marie-Laurie Juppin.
Since its inception in 2001, only one African woman has received the Miss Earth crown, Kenya’s Winfred Omwakwe who ascended to the throne after the dethronement of 2002 winner Dzejla Glavovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Will another African woman get crowned Miss Earth 23 years since Omwake’s ascension as queen? Ayisi and Juppin appear to be the two strongest bets from the continent this year.
Ayisi picked up her gold medal after getting the most votes in the ‘Media Top Picks’ poll during the presentation of delegates on Oct. 21. She then finished second in the talent competition of the ‘Eco’ group of delegates. She had also recently topped the online poll for ‘Best Bikini.’
Juppin topped the continent of Africa in the Terno competition, also during the presentation of delegates, then finished third in the ‘Air’ group’s talent contest.
The United States’ Haley Poe also picked up two accolades by being the leading delegate from the Americas in the terno competition, and topping the ‘Eco’ group’s talent competition.
Elizaveta Guryanova from Russia topped the ‘Air’ group’s talent contest, while Nepal’s Sony Ghale picked up the gold medal in the ‘Fire’ group’s showcase. Natalie Puskinova from the Czech Republic was the leader in the ‘Water’ group.
Scotland’s Grace McGregor, Colombia’s Valentina Collazos, and Hong Kong’s Shiyuan Luo finished second in the talent competition of the ‘Air,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘Water’ groups, respectively.
England’s Sofia Mayers, Ecuador’s Smimova Peñafiel, and Armenia’s Anoushe Kalashyan picked up the bronze medals in the talent contest of the ‘Eco,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘Water’ groups, respectively.
The Philippines’ Joy Barcoma topped the terno competition among the delegates from Asia and Oceania, while Sanne-Esmee Walstra from the Netherlands topped Europe.
But how much do these medals and early awards matter in the final outcome? Last year’s winner Jessica Lane, Australia’s first Miss Earth winner, topped only the ‘media picks” poll for Asia and Oceania
Her predecessor Drita Ziri, Albania’s first Miss Earth winner, did not even pick up any medals and only advanced to the Top 12 of the national costume contest.
But Mina-Sue Choi, who posted Korea’s first Miss Earth win in 2022, collected medals during her year. She topped the swimsuit, beach wear, and evening gown competitions of her group, and finished third in the resort wear contest.
Every year, the Miss Earth pageant conducts four important judging sessions, assessing the delegates intelligence and environmental awareness, beauty of face, fitness and form, and poise.
The organization also observes the delegates’ attitude, which will be taken into consideration in determining who will advance to the semifinals.
Fans will find out soon whether there will be a repeat of the 2022 scenario where a bemedalled beauty wins, or if another come-from-behind win similar to 2023 and 2024 will take place.
The 2025 Miss Earth pageant’s coronation show will be held at the Cove Manila club of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Nov. 5. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the pageant’s Facebook page and YouTube channel