Miss Venezuela crowned Miss World

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares is crowned Miss World 2011 in London, England.

A human resources graduate from Venezuela, whose ambition is to work with children, was crowned Miss World 2011 in London on Sunday.

Ivian Sarcos, 21, took the ultimate beauty accolade at Earls Court in London, the city where the first Miss World was staged in 1951.

Outside the venue, a small feminist demonstration took place, protesting at what they said was an “appalling offense against women’s equality.”

The competition has drawn criticism in recent years for being outdated and little more than a chance to look good in swimwear.

But of the 122 contestants whom Sarcos beat, a quarter are graduates and more than half speak three or more languages.

The beauty contest was broadcast live to more than 150 countries and was watched by a billion viewers, organizers said. Next year’s Miss World will be held in China’s Inner Mongolia.