First Miss Wheelchair World event in Warsaw

Breaking down barriers for disabled women

Aleksandra Chichikova, a 23-year-old psychology student from Belarus was crowned the first ever Miss Wheelchair world.

The event was held in Warsaw, Poland. Lebohang Monyatsi from South Africa was runner-up ahead of Poland’s Adrianna Zawadzinska.

1/6

AFP

A first of its kind

The competition, organised by a Polish foundation, is the first of its kind on a global scale.

The event also aimed to highlight that a wheelchair is a luxury in many parts of the world.Contest co-founder and jury president Katarzyna Wojtaszek-Ginalska told AFP the goal was the event was to “change the image of women in wheelchairs so they would not be judged solely by this attribute”.

2/6

AFP

Only One Foundation

The event was organised by the Only One Foundation, which was founded by two disabled women seeking to break down barriers limiting disabled people.

After four editions of Miss Poland Wheelchair, the pageant on Saturday marked an effort to go global.

3/6

AFP

Financing of the pageant

To finance the pageant, money was collected from private sponsors. But the biggest portion of aid came from the city of Warsaw, which provided the infrastructure, logistical support and helpers.

4/6

AFP

Choice of the contestants

The contestants were chosen either in national rounds or, in countries with no such pageants, by non-governmental organisations contacted by the Polish foundation.

Each country could send a maximum of two contestants, who spent eight days in the Polish capital, busy with rehearsals, photo sessions, conferences and visits.

5/6

AFP

Previous such events

The pageant had been held four times previously as Miss Poland Wheelchair before going international for this edition. The event featured 24 women from 19 countries.

6/6

AFP