A FINALIST for Miss Wales 2017 is hoping to be the first Asian woman to win the title.
Sara Rahman, 18, from Rhiwbina, is one of five finalists who will represent Cardiff in the competition next year.
The Miss Wales finalists attended Cardiff Fashion Show at the weekend.
Miss Rahman, who is a student at St David’s College in Cardiff, hopes to study accountancy at university after the competition.
The finalist, who speaks Bengali with her family and works in her dad’s restaurant, said an Asian Miss Wales would be a positive change for the competition.
She, said: “It’s time we had something a bit different. I’ve found it noticeably more difficult to find modelling jobs as an Asian. A lot of castings ask for caucasian girls only.
“The competition has been such a fun learning experience. It’s not all about beauty, it’s about empowering women and allowing them to feel confident within themselves.
“Helping others has helped all of us in the competition to develop as people.”
The teenager began modelling with the help of her dad last year, whose takeaway restaurant, The Gateway to India, now sponsors his daughter as a finalist in the competition.
Mr Rahman, said: I’m very proud of Sara, but her education will always be the most important thing for me.”
The winner of miss wales 2017 will be decided by both a panel of judges and a public vote which opens next year. The winner of the competition will go on to represent Wales in the Miss World competition for the chance of winning the global title.
The Miss World winner, who will receive a salary for the year, will be required to travel around the world with the competition’s own charity, Beauty with a Purpose, and spread its message.
All finalists will work with the charity in the lead up to the competition. Earlier this year, the Miss Wales finalists walked three miles in heels as part of a sponsored Wedge Walk.
Since 2004, Miss Wales has raised £500,000 for the charity, which aims to help disadvantaged children from around the world.
