Ngo Tien Doan, from Vietnam, is the new winner
The winner of the Mister International 2008 held in Taiwan - Ngo Tien Doan – the first time ever that a Vietnamese man has won an international beauty contest, spoke with Thanh Nien Daily on his return last Thursday. Thanh Nien Daily: What made your victory possible? What is your mission as a Mister International? What is the difference between a Mister Vietnam and a Mister International? Ngo Tien Doan: The Mister International title has become the marker of a modern ambassador for man in this world. I will continue to stand proud, breaking boundaries and defining what it means to be a man in the 21st century. The man should be savvy, goal-oriented and aware. The contestants display these characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals who participate in the pageants to advance their careers, personal and humanitarian goals; and as men who seek to improve the lives of others. I think I was recognized because the judges were able to see the uniquely Vietnamese and the common international character in me. For the one year that I will fulfill my mission as Mister International, I will promote the contest’s prestige and engage in social and charity work in several countries including Vietnam. Now I am not only the Adonis representative of Vietnam but also of countries of around the world. My mission as Mister Vietnam is to promote Vietnam’s “hidden charms” to the world. You have been working as a professional model and a lecturer of mechanics at Can Tho University. Your students say you are intellectual and strict in class. Your fans say you are a skillful performer. Which is the real you? How do you reconcile the two very different careers you are pursuing? I started modeling three and a half years ago because I found out I love the concept of “beauty.” I also have a passion for artistic photos and especially like to challenge myself in new ways. There is still a stigma attached to male models in Vietnam and rumors and innuendo based on the actions of a few people abound around us, while the majority of us do good work. My colleagues and students respect and encourage what I have been doing. To me, the differences combine in a way that makes things more solid and excellent. For instance, a house cannot be considered beautiful nor attractive if it has a square structure without flexible curves. Do you still aim to go abroad for higher studies? With your academic and social roles, you would be a leading candidate for scholarships. Pursuing higher education has been my ambition for a long time. I have one year ahead in Singapore to fulfill the Mister International mission, which provides me with the opportunity to enhance my English language skills. I am aiming at a post-graduate scholarship in Mechanics in a developed country. Can you say something about your career plans? Like any lecturer, I very much want to gain up-to-date knowledge to teach and train my beloved students in the most effective and useful way. My endeavor is part of what all my colleagues at Can Tho University have been trying to do – improve the quality of education in the Mekong Delta region. Although you are not a professional designer, you designed the traditional costume that won rave reviews at the Mister International contest. Do you nurture ambitions of becoming a fashion designer? As my exclusive sponsor at the Mister International pageant, HCMC’s Venus Fashion Company has helped me all the time, including offering me the services of some famous fashion designers. However, I had such a long time (half a year) to prepare for the pageant, and as a model who loves the catwalk a lot, I thought I should be able to make a costume by myself. I am neither trained to be a designer nor a tailor but I have great national pride and worked on the traditional costume that dates back to the Hung kings, to showcase our traditional history and culture of thousands of years to international friends. I just wanted to express my love for the country from the bottom of my heart, and am not targeting a career in designing. I respect the contributions and creativity of all homegrown designers. Are you in a new relationship after the split with your long-time girlfriend who has gone to the US for a masters degree? How do you feel about love and marriage? Who is an attractive woman in your eyes? I am waiting for a new love to knock on the doors to my heart. I am attracted to an intelligent woman who is a social, has career ambitions, and especially, who is faithful in her love for me. I think a man should have a good position in his career to be able to support himself and his family before getting married. Can you tell us how to have a healthy, stunning body like yours? I think we should not put pressure on doing exercises. Please think of playing sports as your relaxation. Playing football, running, jogging and gym are very helpful. Most importantly, live your life optimistically and get rid of any harmful habits like smoking.
Reported by Luu Hong http://www.thanhniennews.com |
The Mister International 2008 pageant was held in Taiwan (ROC) last November 24. The new winner among 30 contestants is Ngo Tien Doan, from Vietnam, who was a semifinalist in the Manhunt International 2007 pageant, in which he also won the title of Mister Physique.
Tainan, Taiwan (ROC), November 24, 2008 - This evening, during one of the year's most exciting annual events, an international panel of judges chose Mister Vietnam Ngo Tien Doan as MISTER INTERNATIONAL 2008 during the pageant held in Tainan, Taiwan (ROC).
Top Fifteen: Mister India Vikas Mehandroo, Mister Indonesia Rocky Pramatra, Mister Singapore Ken Lim, Mister Taiwan (ROC) Li Chi Hsiang and Mister USA Ivan Rusilko.
SportsmenAsia Swimwear and Fitness Award: Mister Vietnam Ngo Tien Doan. This is presented to the winner of the SportsmenAsia Swimwear and Fitness Competition. One Men Show Photogenic Award: Mister Taiwan (ROC) Li Chi Hsiang. Voted on and selected by the press photographers, this is awarded to the contestant who exemplifies great looks through the lens of a camera. MSO Congeniality Award: Mister Croatia Mihovil Barun. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the contestant’s peers, who voted for him as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational contestant. MSO Spirit Award: Mister Nigeria Edgar Chidiebere Chima Ononuju. This award is presented to the contestant selected for his outstanding qualities such as character, sportsmanship, achievement, personal growth, and a willingness to promote the positive aspects of competition. National Costume Award: Mister Taiwan (ROC) Li Chi Hsiang. This award is presented to the contestant who displayed his country’s pride and spirit best in costume. National Director Award: Rafael Robert Delfin of the United States. This award is presented to the national director selected for his outstanding leadership qualities, and a willingness to promote the pageant in his/her country. The MISTER INTERNATIONAL 2008 prize package includes: US$ 5,000 cash prize; the official MISTER SINGAPORE sash from “Royal Indulgences" by Holly Hardwick; the official MISTER SINGAPORE trophy; overseas travel opportunities, including round trip air travel and all expense-paid accommodation, complete with meals and ground transportation, with a personal travel manager representing the Mister Singapore Organization; modeling representation with regionally renowned Carrie Models International; personal appearance wardrobe; swimwear wardrobe from SportsmenAsia.com; fashion wardrobe from SportsmenAsia.com; gym membership; gym, health and fitness, and nutrition programs with a personal trainer from SgFitness.com; nutrition and diet supplements, and fitness equipment from Nutrition Park; skin and body care services from Thomas D’Esthetique; indoor tanning from Fabulous Tan; teeth whitening from Fabulous Smile; skin exfoliation from Fabulous Skin; assortment grooming products; modeling portfolios; personal styling by a celebrity stylist for all official events; professional hairstyling services and treatment by a celebrity hairstylist; pageant consultation, personal grooming program and professional public relations media training. The Mister Singapore Organization, producer of the MISTER SINGAPORE and MISTER INTERNATIONAL pageants, is an international company that advances and supports today’s men. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Mister Singapore Organization is committed to increasing awareness on childhood cancer by forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Singapore’s Children Cancer Foundation. (Official Press Release)
Here's the official list of candidates for Mister International 2008: See below the complete gallery of this year's contestants |
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Angola Claudio Furtado |
Belgium Koen Van De Voorde |
Bolivia, Luis Alberto Martinez |
China Zhang Chao |
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Croatia Mihovil Barun |
France Patrick Beck |
Honduras Cesar Quintanilla |
Hong Kong Yang Jung Hao |
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India Vikas Mehandroo |
Indonesia Rocky Pramata |
Italy Giancarlo Patti |
Korea Park Jung Wan |
Kyrgyztan, Azamat Toktakunov |
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Latvia Endijs Gravlejs |
Lebanon, Mohamad Chamseddine |
Luxembourg Gert de Winne |
Macau Xie Hui |
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Netherlands Vincent Cleuren |
Pakistan Ali Asghar |
Singapore Ken Lim |
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Sri Lanka, Dinesh Priyankara de Silva |
Taiwan (ROC) Li Chih Siang |
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