Dominican Republic Clinches Miss Universe Title

Tue June 3, 2003 11:11 PM ET PANAMA CITY (<a href=asia.reuters.com>Reuters) - Miss Dominican Republic Amelia Vega, an 18-year-old high school student, won the Miss Universe 2003 title at a sparkling ceremony in Panama City on Tuesday, beating a field of 70 other pageant queens.

Miss Venezuela Mariangel Ruiz came second, followed by Miss South Africa Cindy Nell.

The winners were announced at the end of a gala night of parades in figure-hugging swimsuits and shimmering evening gowns in the $10 million Figali Convention Center on the banks of the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.