2013 SU Update: Miss Universiade crowned in Kazan

KAZAN – Anzhelika Amerkhanova, a 19-year-old student of Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering, was awarded the Miss Universiade title during the 2012 Miss Tatarstan Beauty Pageant. The winner was chosen by Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Igor Sivov and Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima

The 14th edition of this year’s beauty pageant was dedicated to the Bluebird of Happiness. That’s why the entire apparel from dresses to swimsuits was exclusively made by designer Polina Shanri and corresponded to the assigned topic.

Thirty beauties that paraded on stage of the Pyramid Culture and Entertainment Complex were shortlisted from nearly 200 candidates and passed a number of other contests on their way to the final competition. Those included a traditional swimsuit walk and a talent show, as well as a contest in mixing non-alcoholic cocktails.

In the final of the beauty contest the girls made self-presentations, and were also interviewed by the show’s host, famous Kazan production director and merited artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Mikhail Volkonadsky. Among the questions asked during the interview were those regarding the forthcoming Universiade in Kazan.

The panel of judges was made up of members of the Miss Russia Contest Directorate, representatives of top national and international modeling agencies, famous people in the sphere of culture, fashion and show business, and executives of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate. The Miss Tatarstan NGO has been taking most active part in most Team 2013-initiated events. In 2011, the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate bestowed the first ever Miss Universiade title on 18-year-old student of Kazan National Research Technological University Ekaterina Shushakova. Within a full year, she has been acting as representative of the 2013 Games; Ekaterina was part of the escort team during the Summer Universiade in Shenzhen and also travelled through 16 cities of Russia as member of the FISU Flag Relay delegation.

Moreover, in May 2011 the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and Miss Tatarstan NGO conducted the Faces of the Universiade Contest designed to build the team of medal presenter escorts of the future Games. This year the contest will go beyond the boundaries of the republic and acquire a nationwide level. Based on its results, the Universiade Directorate will form the medal presenter escort team which will consist of more than 290 young men and women. According to Larisa Sulima, all finalists of the 2012 Miss Tatarstan Beauty Pageant are automatically entitled to take part in the final of the Faces of the Universiade Contest.

The same as last year, the Kazan 2013 representatives chose a girl that stands out not only due to her beauty and grace but also due to her commitment to sports, a healthy way of life and solid citizenship. Besides, Anzhelika admitted that she enjoyed national cuisines of peoples living in Tatarstan and she also believed that multi-nationality was one of the main treasures of her homeland. It is expected that Miss Universiade Anzhelika Amerkhanova will become the face of the advertising campaign for the Kazan 2013 volunteer program in the year 2012.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)