 |
| Image: Facebook |
Nigeria’s pageant and fashion industry has added another milestone to its growing list of international achievements as model Bethel Mbamara secured the 3rd Runner-Up position at the Mister International 2025 contest, held in Thailand. His impressive performance, cultural presentation, and outstanding fashion sense earned him recognition on the global stage, bringing pride and visibility to the country.
The grand finale of the competition took place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, where Mbamara not only placed among the top four but also won the prestigious titles of Most Fashionable Contestant and Mister International Africa. These additional wins established him as one of the standout participants of the evening, further underlining his talent, charisma, and ability to merge cultural pride with modern pageantry.
A Global Stage for Talent
The coveted title of Mister International 2025 went to Kirk Bondad of the Philippines, who returned the crown to his home country after an 11-year gap. Lebanon’s Saadedine Hneineh emerged as 1st Runner-Up, South Korea’s Seung-lo Choi finished as 2nd Runner-Up, Costa Rica’s Roberto Mena placed 4th Runner-Up, while Thailand’s Kanapol Treesongkiat completed the top five as 5th Runner-Up.
Despite not clinching the overall crown, Mbamara’s achievement was widely celebrated, particularly because of his powerful cultural showcase, which left both the judges and international audience deeply impressed.
Celebrating Nigerian Culture
One of the defining highlights of Mbamara’s participation was his national costume performance, which drew inspiration from the Ikpirikpi Ogu, popularly known as the Warrior Dance of Ohafia, a historic tradition from Abia State.
His elaborate attire featured tall headpieces, intricate beadwork, finely woven fabrics, and symbolic carvings. Together, these elements paid tribute to the valor and resilience of the Abiriba people. The Warrior Dance, traditionally performed by strong men to celebrate victory in battle, symbolizes bravery, strength, and triumph.
By reimagining this powerful cultural expression on an international runway, Mbamara not only honored his heritage but also brought global attention to Nigeria’s deep-rooted traditions. His performance was described as a “cultural statement” that combined artistry, history, and patriotism in a way that resonated far beyond the pageant itself.
Building on Past Success
This year’s edition of Mister International marked the 17th staging of the competition, which featured contestants from 42 countries. The event ran from September 12 to 25, 2025, and showcased a parade of fashion, fitness, culture, and intellect.
For Nigeria, Mbamara’s success comes exactly one year after another groundbreaking moment: Nwajagu Samuel of Anambra State made history in 2024 by becoming the first Nigerian and African to win the Mister International crown. Samuel’s victory significantly elevated Nigeria’s profile in global pageantry, and Mbamara’s top-five placement has now reinforced that momentum, proving that Nigeria is not just a participant but a dominant force on the world stage.
A Symbol of National Pride
Mbamara’s triumph is more than just a personal victory; it represents a celebration of Nigeria’s rising influence in the international fashion and pageant community. His ability to stand out among contestants from different parts of the world reflects the growing talent, creativity, and resilience of Nigerian youth.
Industry observers note that his recognition as Mister International Africa also carries symbolic weight, as it highlights Africa’s cultural richness and beauty in a competition often dominated by Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Inspiring the Next Generation
For many Nigerians, Mbamara’s journey serves as an inspiration to young creatives and aspiring models across the country. His success shows that with determination, hard work, and cultural pride, Nigerian talent can excel on any stage.
The combination of his modeling prowess, strong cultural identity, and ability to represent Nigeria with grace has sparked conversations about the need to invest more in grooming and supporting talents in the pageantry and fashion industries.
Looking Ahead
As Mister International continues to grow in prestige, Nigeria’s back-to-back top finishes have set the tone for future competitions. With Samuel’s historic win in 2024 and Mbamara’s stellar showing in 2025, the nation has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in global male pageantry.
For Mbamara, his journey at Mister International 2025 may be over, but his success story is only beginning. Many believe his international exposure will open doors to global modeling contracts, brand endorsements, and cultural ambassadorial roles.
Above all, his achievement reflects the richness of Nigerian culture and the strength of its people—a reminder that beauty, fashion, and tradition can converge to tell powerful stories on the world stage.
Chidera Bethel Mbamara, representing Nigeria at the just-concluded Mister International 2025 in Thailand, finished as the 3rd runner-up🇳🇬🇹🇭 https://t.co/HJiWof9OQh pic.twitter.com/S03X2tYk30
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) September 26, 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment