Story by Patience Nyagato
ZIMBABWE has risen to the world stage with a historic triumph after 26-year-old beauty Yollanda Chimbarami delivered the nation’s greatest pageant victory yet, after emerging as the First Runner-Up at Miss International 2025.
On Thursday night in Tokyo, Japan, Yollanda Chimbarami became the First Runner-Up at Miss International 2025, a moment that instantly rewrites Zimbabwe’s pageant history.
She surpasses the feat achieved by Angeline Musasiwa, who mastered an iconic fourth-place finish at Miss World 1994.
For the first time, Zimbabwe stands among the top two in a Big Four pageant- Miss International, which is classified among the prestigious beauty competitions for women ranked among Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth.
Chimbarami’s grace, confidence and clarity carried Zimbabwe through and she earned the continental crown of Miss International Africa 2025.
The global title went to Catalina Duque of Colombia.
Eighty contestants battled for the crown at the show, which opened with a vibrant national costume parade.
Only three African countries, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola, placed in the Top 20, but the night’s defining moment belonged to Zimbabwe.
Chimbarami lifted the national flag higher than it has ever been lifted on this stage and she proved that Zimbabwe’s time on the world stage is now.
