Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez crowned Miss World 2026 | The Express Tribune
Dominguez emerges as the winner after competing against more than 100 contestants from around the world
Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic has been crowned Miss World 2026 at a ceremony in Nha Trang, Vietnam, marking a historic moment for the country and its pageant community.
Dominguez emerged as the winner after competing against more than 100 contestants from around the world. The competition featured several stages, including preliminary events and rounds designed to highlight the contestants’ personalities, communication skills, social initiatives and commitment to causes beyond the pageant itself.
According to Gulf News, Dominguez made it through the different stages of the competition before securing her place among the finalists and ultimately taking home the coveted Miss World crown.
Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes was named the first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanuisya Chetty finished as the second runner-up.
Dominguez’s victory is particularly significant for the Dominican Republic because she becomes only the second woman from the country to win the Miss World title. Her achievement comes 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez became the first Dominican woman to win the crown in 1982.
The long gap between the country’s two Miss World victories has made Dominguez’s achievement an especially notable moment for the Dominican Republic. Her win has sparked celebrations among supporters at home and among Dominican communities around the world.
Throughout the competition, Dominguez was also recognised for her social initiatives and for embodying the Miss World organisation’s long-standing “Beauty With a Purpose” message. The initiative places an emphasis on using the visibility provided by the pageant to raise awareness of social issues and support communities and charitable causes.
Her journey to the crown comes after a year in which Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri held the Miss World title, following her victory in 2025.
With her historic win, Dominguez now begins her reign as Miss World 2026, representing the Dominican Republic on an international stage and continuing the organisation’s focus on charitable and social-impact initiatives.
