Miss World 2014: Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss Crowned Winner

Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss has won the coveted Miss World 2014 title, beating more than 120 other contestants at a glittering ceremony held at ExCel London Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Miss World 2014 was handed her crown by the reigning Miss World 2013, Megan Young of the Philippines, and cheered on by second and third runners-up, Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsár and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit.

According to the Miss World Official website, the 22 year-old is fourth year medical student, and enjoys playing the sports golf, netball and cycling, and reading inspirational and educational books.

The top five finalists at this year's Miss World beauty pageant were contestants from England, United States, Hungary, Australia and South Africa.

The Miss World 2014 pageant also featured many subsidiary competitions and titles, which were played out in the days leading up to the grand final round.

These contests, and their winners, were:

Miss World 2014 Top Model – Miss Bosnia & Herzegovina Isidora Borovčanin

Miss World 2014 Sportswoman – Miss Finland Krista Haapalainen

Miss World 2014 Beach Fashion – Miss Sweden Olivia Asplund

Miss World 2014 Multimedia – Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit

Miss World 2014 Talent – Miss Malaysia Dewi Liana Seriestha

Miss World 2014 People's Choice Award – Miss Thailand Maeya Nonthawan Thongleng

For the first time, five contestants were announced as the Miss World 2014 Beauty With a Purpose winners: Miss India, Miss Kenya, Miss Brazil, Miss Indonesia and Miss Guyana.

Meanwhile, Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a special appearance at the event along with her husband Abhishek Bachchan, daughter Aaradhya Bachchan and mother Vrinda Rai.