Miss Universe 2007 : Miss Japan Riyo Mori

Riyo Mori won the Miss Universe 2007 title in Mexico City, Mexico on May 28, 2007. “My mind went blank,” she said of the winning moment.

Riyo Mori was born on December 24, 1986 in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka, Japan. She is a vivaciuos Japanese dance instructor. Mori was crowned Miss Universe Japan on 15 March 2007 by outgoing titleholder Kurara Chibana.

In Miss Universe 2007 competition she achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition, which advanced her to the top ten and the evening gown competition, in which she placed fourth. At the conclusion of the competition, she was crowned Miss Universe, becoming the second woman from Japan to hold the title. Mori is the eighth Asian woman to win the pageant, the most recent being Lara Dutta of India who was Miss Universe 2000. She received the crown from last year's winner, Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico.

Congratulations to Mori.