Thomas Tan
A 39-year-old bank officer Sofia Lovi Ramasamy who was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis when she was 12, was crowned the very first Miss Amazing Malaysia.
Sofia won the inaugural pageant for girls and women with differences or special needs which was held at Westlane Place, Wisma Daju in Petaling Jaya on 9th March 2019.
She also won the subsidiary title for Miss Optimistic.
Sofia is among 13 women, aged between 17 to 38, from various ethnicity and religious beliefs, who took part in the pageant.
Everyone was a winner as all 13 contestants took home awards.
First runner-up went to 28-year-old student and full-time model Nurhana Md Yusof, who was born with albinism, second runner-up to 24-year-old commis chef Nor Athira Sujino with lupus.
Third runner-up was 29-year-old community advocate Rachel Siew, 29. The fourth and fifth runner-up were 34-year-old admin executive Punitha Palaniaapan and 33-year-old teacher Dr Nik Norziehana Che Isa respectively.
There were a few performances on the night with a heartfelt rendition of ‘Colours of The Wind’ by Miss Wheelchair Malaysia 2018 Nur Ashikeen. Popular local singer Franciscca Peter also performed at the event.
The competition was divided into two categories – Category 1 for those with Down syndrome and autism, and Category 2 for those with other differences. Contestants in Category 1 (with Down syndrome and autism) were crowned with individual titles and contestants in Category 2 competed for the main and subsidiary titles.
During the pageant period, contestants underwent various programs that encompassed skills growth such as sportsmanship, emotional intelligence, self-defence, health emergency training, poise, public speaking, catwalk, photo shoots, styling, etiquette, self grooming, confidence building and talent showcasing.
Organised by the Amazing Girls Solution which was set up by Maynicca Dewi Rajamanikam, who was Mrs India Worldwide Malaysia 2018 first runner-up, the pageant is aimed at providing a platform for women with Down syndrome, lupus, scoliosis, vitiligo, autism and other disorders, to be part of a beauty pageant and sought to prove to the world that women with differences should be given greater opportunities to pursue their goals and live their lives to their fullest potential.
Miss Amazing Malaysia is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC) and is supported by Puteri Malaysia Ambulance as pageant co-partners and main sponsors. Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia is a collaborative partner to the pageant.
Miss Amazing Malaysia 2019 Results
Category 1:
Miss Congeniality: Siti Nur Aisyah, 19
Miss Best Attitude: Lynda Lim, 23
Miss Optimistic: Nur Athirah Idrus, 17
Miss Strong: Susanna Cheah, 19
Miss Loving: Charmaine Chan, 29
Miss Best Talent: Tabitha Seow Tong En, 18
Miss Photogenic: Wan Alyaa Azri, 19
Category 2:
Champion: Sofia Lovi Ramasamy, 39
1st Runner-Up: Nurhana Md Yusof, 28
2nd Runner-Up: Nor Athira Sujino, 24
3rd Runner-Up: Rachel Siew, 29
4th Runner-Up: Punitha Palaniaapan, 34
5th Runner-Up: Dr Nik Norziehana Che Isa, 33
Subsidiary Title:
Miss Congeniality: Nor Athira Sujino, 24
Miss Best Attitude: Rachel Siew, 29
Miss Strong: Dr Nik Norziehana Che Isa, 33
Miss Best Talent: Punitha Palaniaapan, 34
Miss Photogenic: Nurhana Md Yusof, 28
CJMY
