Miss Dominican Republic wins Miss Universe title
Panama City, Panama-AP -- Miss Dominican Republic has won the 2003 Miss Universe title in Panama. Amelia Vega topped 70 other contestants to win the title.
Outgoing titleholder Justine Pasek of Panama slipped the crown on the head of Vega, who smiled widely and waved to the crowd.
The 18-year-old Vega is the niece of famed merengue singer Juan Luis Guerra and the daughter of her country's representative in the 1980 Miss Universe pageant.
The first runner up was Miss Venezuela, the Cinderella of the contest: The 22-year-old almost couldn't come to the competition, because of financial problems in her home country. A donor finally turned up to meet the costs of her trip.
Second runner-up was Miss South Africa. Miss Serbia and Montenegro was third runner-up and Miss Japan was fourth.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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