It's nice to see that this edition seems to also be a mini-reunion of previous champions, as not only the reigning champion, Lochie Carey is on hand to crown his successor, but also showing up were Paul Luzineau (2020, Netherlands), Truong Ngoc Tinh (2017, Vietnam), June Macasaet (2012, Philippines), and going all the way back in time, Peter Eriksen (1998, Sweden). All were on hand to judge the preliminary and final competition.
As of late, Manhunt president Rosko Dickinson prefers to limit the roster to 40. It seems to beased on which franchise holders were ready to declare their representatives and which were not ready--could this explain why normal stalwarts like GREECE, INDIA, JAPAN, POLAND, and SWEDEN are missing this year? There were actually 40 countries who confirmed but three backed out. Let's briefly talk about them starting with:
NIGERIA - Henri Keyz. This beefy ebony specimen looks like a strong contender wo could have made serious inroads into the Top 20. Wonder why he was the first to back out?
MYANMAR - Yelko Htet. He seems dusky and rough in one picture, and refined in another. Not sure if that will allow him to make serious inroads into an already murky Top 20. Wonder if the ongoing civil war conflict in his country is to blame for his absence?
PANAMA - Rubén Salcedo. He's the last to back out--wonder if he has issues obtaining his travel papers that caused him to be forced to withdraw? Anyway, he has these swarty looks that might work better in Mister Supranational but in this milieu he'll probably be at a disadvantage.
The final roster of 37 is a big improvement from the turnout in the past three editions, and it equates the turnout in 2017. I hope in the future Rosko releases the 40-country cap as this contest used to be capable of drawing in around 45-50 during the 2000-early 2010s era. They had their biggest turnouts back in 2006 and 2012, when there were 53 contestants present.
Without further ado, let's discuss the 37 contestants, starting with...
ANGOLA - Felipe Salvador Maria. I've noticed this year's batch is filled with long-haired contenders, and tis is the first one. But I like his look and vibe as I think he exudes polish and sex appeal. I wonder why he was not accorded the Best Model for Africa special award, as I feel he's delivered the goods--were the judges blinded by flamboyant fabulousness?
AUSTRALIA - Tim Gamlin. He's a handsome, boyish guy with a slender body. In other years, this would have been a disadvantage but with the fashion industry and Hollywood lately going for the slender, less toned types, this guy might have an "in". I call this the "Timothee Chalemet effect", as thanks to the success of Wonka and the Dune movies, he's now the standard to which every leading man is compared to.
BRAZIL - Ruan Mendes. He stands out with his mocha complexion and curly brown afro. If this were Mister Supranatiaonal, his exotic vibe would've made more serious impact, but I feel he's undoubtedly still Top 10 bound.
CANADA - Matt Dixon. I don't quite consider this blond guy classically handsome, but I know many fans and pundits who do. He would've fit the classic clean-cut archetype if it weren't for the huge tattoo on his upper left arm. He also made a standout impression in the haute couture round with his grandiose multilayered cape over his blinged-up tuxedo--does the cape evoke the natives who lived in his country before the Europeans arrived? Whatever the case, he looks regal in it. And he can secure his Top 20 slot by his positioning as the only blond in this batch.
COLOMBIA - Luis Gonzales. I find him buffed and classically handsome. Wonder what does the sepecial award Best America's Model (should've been Best Model - Americas) mean--is this a lower-tier prize for peraps not quite finishing in the Top 10 in the preliminaries, or does this mean good things for him on finals night?
COSTA RICA - Roberto Mena. This Top 15 finisher from Mister International (Distinctively Handsome) is aiming to improve on his previous sowing by competing here. He seems to be on-track as he was cited as topping the Physique round of the Digital Challenge. Interestingly he's relatively one of the shorter guys in this batch, so I wonder if that could hamper his prospects for maing Top 10 or beyond. But I have taken notice that in te first swimsuit parade, there is something prominent sowing as he faced sideways, so I feel he deserves to win the Dino Nicolina Award.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Juan Starlyn Terrero. He has a military-style haircut and features that I'm not that into, but he seems to be generating a lot of positive buzz so he looks like he is going to secure a Top 20 spot.
EL SALVADOR - Andre Ticas. He has a boyish Latino cuteness that could work in this milieu, and it seems with a prominent sponsor having also be his national director, he might have an advantage and secure a Top 20 slot.
FERNANDO DE NORONHA - Hudson Malagutti. He actually is good looking and has swarthy appeal, but he's not generating enough charisma and it doesn't help matters that he's the shortest guy in this batch and that his couture wardrobe lacks any distinction--it's basically a plain off-white jacke-and-pants ensemble sans undershirt. So thus continue the tradition of the "extra" Brazilian representative failing to make the cut.
FRANCE - Lucas Schlachter. After his perceived surprise Top Five finish at Mister International (New Era) he seems to have stepped up his charisma and appeal on the road to this competition that he has emerged as one of the front-runners. I think he's a lock for a FInal Five finish and a possible play for the big title.
HONG KONG - Song Yunye. Normally representatives from this territory generate attention and could make serious inroads into te semifinals. But this guy, I just don't see much charisma at all, and it seems he's overshadowed by MACAU. He also has that slender but not toned physique--would he benefit from the "Timothee Chalemet effect" or would he be a total miss?
INDONESIA - Stefan Yogi Firdaus. I may not find him that charismatic, but he undeniably has a polished presence, so it's likely he'll make the cut to the Top 20.
COMING UP: ITALY to PERU
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