
An Indian medical student has been crowned Miss World following a glamorous event in China today, making her country the joint-most successful nation in the pageant's history along with Venezuela.

Manushi Chhillar became India's sixth winner of the prestigious beauty show, following in the footsteps of successful Bollywood actresses Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai.

Chhillar's win means that India and Venezuela have both won the competition a record six times each over the course of its 67 year history.

The 20-year-old beauty winner is a trained Indian classical dancer who enjoys painting. The Miss World website also says that she hopes to open a chain of non-profit hospitals in rural areas.

Miss India Manushi Chhilar wins the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan on November 18, 2017

Contestants hold hands and pose during the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya, Chinese on Saturday

During the competition, the contestants perform and try to wow the judges in the hope of being crowned the winner

Following her success, she tweeted: 'Thank you, everyone, for your constant love, support. This one's for India.'

She has retweeted a number of different articles relating to success and has become a trending topic on the social media site Twitter.

Among those to come out and congratulate her include Manohar Lal Khattar - the minister of her home state of Haryana.

She was crowed the winner by last year's winner, Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico, at the ceremony in the Chinese coastal city of Sanya.

Britain's Stephanie Hill and Mexico's Andrea Meza completed the other podium place finishes.

Miss India Manushi Chhilar poses during the 67th Miss World contest (left) while Miss Mexico lma Andrea Meza Carmona walks on stage during and tries to impress the judges

Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle, from Puerto Rico (top) puts the crown on Miss India Manushi Chhilar (bottom) during the crowning ceremony in China

Contestants dance during the 67th Miss World contest final in Sanya, on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan

It was the fifth time in 10 years China has held the prestigious competition. At the previous time the compeition was held in Sanya, controversy erupted after officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound China's Hainan Island, saying she would not recieve a visa.

And last year, Lin was reportedly told not to speak by pageant bosses not to speak out about human rights abuses in China.

She did not compete in this year's event, with China represented by high school student Cynthia Menard.