Generally, when someone hears about a beauty pageant, beautiful women with well-to-do attitudes are usually what springs into mind. Times have changed a LOT over the last handful of decades, though, and now men, too, can share a part in the fun of pageantry.
The Mister Global male beauty pageant, like many other pageants of its type, is organized not only to showcase the beauty and culture of each country represented, but also to help inspire the young men of each country to do good for the health of planet and people. The winner of the global pageant is expected to be a role model of such values to men all around the world, and his work begins the moment he takes the prize. The pageant itself, too, works to raise money for a charitable program, and this year the money raised benefitted an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.
This yearโs winner is Jong Woo Kim of Korea, but trust us when we say he had some pretty close runner-ups. Each man was to dress in his national costume, representing the history and culture of his nation. While just about every model hit the nail on the head, we have to say that America might have misunderstood the rules just a bit.
1. United States of America
Apparently, Superman is the costume that best represents the history and culture of the nation. We know, we didnโt really know what to make of it either. Most of us are really all about Batman.
2. Brazil
Gil Raupp was the model chosen to rep for Brazil. He is from the Rio Grande and brings all of the colors and garb that is so finely interwoven in his Brazilian heritage to the forefront. While Brazil took the title 2 years ago in 2017, it seems that this costume just didnโt do as much for the country this year.
3. Chilรฉ
Mister Chile wowed the audience with his shamanistic garb and solemn, yet spiritual expressions. One quick scroll through his
Facebook comments and thereโs no doubt that his countrymen are proud.
4. China
Mister China kept things light in color but ornate in detail. His silk embroidered Hanfu boasts beautiful geometric patterns, but heโs caught a lot of attention for his lack of ironing skills.
5. Cuba
This was Cubaโs first year competing in the international pageant and they didnโt disappoint. Mister Cuba brings the party with his festively patriotic outfit, designed after the countryโs flag.
6. Czech Republic
Mister Czech Republic brought all the Bohemian tradition into his outfit, including the lighthearted toss of his hat. Sewn from traditional materials of wool and silk, he looks like he walked right out of the pages of a history book.
7. Dominican Republic
Braulio Encarnaciรณn was chosen to rep his country, the Dominican Republic, and he did his ancestors proud. Ready for battle in the traditional clothing of a warrior, his costume is comprised of the furs, feathers, and bones you might expect to see donned by an ancient warrior from the culture. He presented so well that he took place for 4th runner up.
8. Egypt
Adam Hussein took the role of Mister Egypt to heart with his ancient costume of a royal palace member. Girded with a beaded leather loincloth printed with hieroglyphs to match his ornate neckpiece similarly strung through with turquoise scarabs and lapis lazuli beads, he uses his beautiful crown boasting a large
Ankh to tie it all together.
9. Guam
While
Johnny Onedera didnโt don any Scotts while competing as Mister Guam, he did a fantastic job putting the beauty of the Marianas Kingfisher, a bird native to Guam and surrounding islands, on full display. Though they take liberties with his golden attire, the rest of the outfit is true to its flamboyant colors.
10. Haiti
Tcholo Medastin as Mister Haiti struck us all with his simplistic Nubian inspired garb that somehow magnified the intensity of his gaze. As the
designers put it, the costume is:
โA tribute to the African roots of Haiti, a fantasy that pays tribute to the ancient African empire known as Nubia, a town of high artistic sensibility, wealth and culture.โ
11. Hong Kong
Keeping in line with what helped him take the win for the title as Mister Hong King 2019, Chace Cheng wore another brilliant dragon-themed ensemble to rep his country. It didnโt get him as far this time, but thereโs no lack of people drooling over it.
12. India
Mister India displayed his cultureโs softer side in his national garb with a beautifully embroidered silk turban with a floral print of roses. He pulls off the solemn and spiritual gaze of a guru, but it didnโt swing him enough votes to take the title for Mister Global.
13. Mister Indonesia
Herman Yosef also went with a dragon-inspired outfit but in a much more ornate direction. Though the masterful costume didnโt earn him title this year, he did win Mister Global Indonesia in
April.
14. Japan
Kodai Hata presented as Mister Japan in a
Wafuku styled haori (jacket) and hakama (pleated trousers). He even boasted a traditional wagasa parasol for a pop of color.
Fun fact, the hakama were only worn by samurai and nobles during โfeudalโ times, and each of the 7 pleats in the trouser represents one of the virtues of the samurai.
15. Korea
Here we have the winner of the 2019 Mister Global pageant, Jong Woo Kim of South Korea. The 23-year-old model is also a
student of the police administration. He has a long road ahead of him filled with expectations from around the world, and we think heโs going to be fabulous!
16. Laos
Mister Laos donned the traditional warrior garb of
Lao Theung, with his brass and silver adornings on his sarong.
17. Malaysia
Mister Malaysia gave us a fearsome presentation modeled, we think, after the
Iban people concentrated in Sarawak. If thatโs the case, this ancient tribe of people was known for their superior headhunting (and preserving) skills, which sure does make that tomahawk look a lot more intimidating.
18. Mexico
Manuel Duarte brought Mexicoโs roots back to life when he sported the costume of an ancient Mayan ruler. With the intense stamp of Mayan design and the unbelievably intricate headdress, we think itโs safe to say that he pulled it off pretty dam well, too.
19. Myanmar
Thiha Kyaw was announced Mister Global Myanmar 2019 and did his country proud in his costume as the Golden Garuda. Inspired by the
Garuda, a legendary bird-like creature upheld in and across many religions and ethnicities, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism. Essentially, the Garuda is the bird that carries the god Vishnu on his back in his travelings.
20. Nepal
Aryan Sitaula as Mister Nepal kept things simple in the traditional Nepalese male outfit of a
Daura-Suruwal. The colors are in keeping with Nepalโs unique flag. The red represents their bravery and the color of the national flower, a rhododendron, while the blue represents peace, and the symbols now represent Hinduism and Buddhism, the two dominating religions of the country.
21. Nigeria
Mister Nigeria sported the accustomed fashion of the
Yoruba people, known for their brilliant use of color and for using fashion as a status symbol indicating wealth and class. The costume was made even more patriotic for its use of Nigeriaโs flag colors.
22. North Cyprus
North Cyprus chose to go with one of the oldest โcostumesโ of their time, the
Panna, which displays their infamous gold embroidery skills exquisitely. The cloth waist band actually served a meaning for the Cypriots. If it was black or dark, it represented older men, while young men wore wraps of bright colors. The different patterns and designs used in the waist wrap also indicated which part of the region you were from, as they varied based on locality.
23. Panama
Mister Panama caught everyoneโs attention with his Carnival-inspired costume, but it was those perfectly exposed abs that are making everyone drool. While Rio de Janeiro holds the title for the worldโs largest celebration of the holiday, Panama is right on its heels, hosting the second largest 4-day extravagant party, which takes place just before Ash Wednesday.
24. Peru
Mister Peru took us back to the ancient roots of his people, the Inca. According to various
origination mythologies, The Incans believed they were born of their sun-god, Inti, and sent down to earth through a cave in Paccari Tampu village and eventually settled in a valley near Cusco in 1200 A.D.
25. Philippines
Mister Philippines presented himself as an ancient warrior as well. With a sleeve of traditional tribal tattoos and a mock sword overlaid in gold and adorned with precious stones, weโd say he pulled it off.
26. Poland
Michaล Grudzieล showed off his countryโs accustomed folk-fashion for his costume. Just look at that smile! We would definitely dance with Mister Poland 2019!
27. Portugal
Mister Portugal didnโt have to leap too far from his millennial fashion peers when he sported his folk costume. That hat makes him fit right in with all the hipsters these days.
28. Puerto Rico
Edgar Irizarry as Mister Puerto Rico went all out in his costume to pay his respects to his countryโs ancestors. As he
told Business Insider, his get-up:
โpaid tribute to the indigenous people of Puerto Rico; the taรญnos. The costume I wore was designed to resemble the Cacique Taรญno,โ which would be a cheiftain or local leader.
29. South Africa
Marcus Max Karsten represented South Africa adorned with a huge, mesmerizingly ornamental chest-piece. As you can imagine, his fan-base has had a serious spike in number since modeling this outfit.
30. Spain
Mister Spain presented himself in the timeless ensemble of a matador. Unlike the other contestants, he didnโt go with brilliant and flamboyant colors or gaudy accessories. He just kept it dark and classy.
31. Sri Lanka
Mister Sri Lanka came to us in the form of Maduranga Dilshan this year, and he didnโt disappoint. His decoratively carved golden headpiece makes him look more like an ancient deity than a model.
32. Sweden
Sebastian Jonssonโฃโฃ is Mister Sweden, and he kept it sweet and simple, for sure. Dressed in the folk clothing that reminds us of a Ri-Cola commercial, the blue of his vest compliments those beautiful blue eyes perfectly.
33. Switzerland
Kenan Murseli is Mister Switzerland, and he took place as 3rd runner-up at the pageant this year. Dressed as a boxer in a silk robe flashing the Swiss flag symbol, this tough guy is sending a message, and we think itโs a bit different than Swedenโs.
34. Taiwan
Mister Taiwan came dressed as a traditional aboriginal warrior. His countryโs colors are represented all throughout his headdress and front covering.
35. Thailand
Jeerawat Vatchasakol represented as Mister Thailand dressed as an ancient Hindu deity. Quite possibly one of the most ornate and spiritual costumes in the pageant this year.
36. Togo
Mister Togo is Kwassy Adjamah. He came to the pageant wearing the traditional dress of a nobleman, with the golden crest of the African Lion, which represents the countryโs highly-esteemed symbolism for independence. Being that it is scorching hot in the West African country, they keep their clothing light, flowing, and breathable.
37. Tunisia
Here we have our 1st runner up for the overall pageant, Houssem Saรฏdi as Mister Tunisia. His laid-back approach to his nationโs traditional wear and the perfect amount of chest exposure came pretty dam close to earning him the Mister Global title. Heโs certainly gained a lot more fans since this photograph was published.
38. Vietnam
Mister Vietnam dressed in the traditional
รกo dร i at the pageant this year, celebrating his cultureโs long-established love of this versatile garment. Composed of two main parts, the front flap and back flap, each of these โpartsโ have a total of 8 smaller parts that work to tie the whole outfit together. You canโt say Mister Vietnam didnโt put in any effort!
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That completes the list of sizzling hot contestants in the Mister Global Pageant of 2019. We congratulate Mister Korea on taking the win and all his runner-ups, and we look forward to seeing man-candy that the pageant hosts next year!