India bet wins ‘Miss Teen Universe’; PHL takes Popularity category

Eventual Miss Teen Universe winner Srishti Kaur of India (C) stands with fellow finalists Ary Trava of Mexico (R)and Samantha Pierre of Canada (L) at the event in Managua on April 25, 2017. INTI OCON/AFP

MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Srishti Kaur from India on Tuesday was crowned Miss Teen Universe 2017, beating out 25 other contestants from around the world in the annual beauty pageant.

Samantha Pierre from Canada and Ary Trava from Mexico were the runners-up in the event held at the Ruben Dario National Theater in Nicaragua's capital Managua.

Kaur also won the prize for best national costume.

Xirelle Agustin from the Philippines won in the Teen Popularity category, while Nicole Obando from Costa Rica won the award for Teen Charm.

The Philippines' Xyrelle Agustin. Photo: The Miss Teen Universe website

On its website, the six-year-old beauty pageant for teens aged 15 to 19 said it "doesn't have any type of relationship" with the Miss Universe Organization.

Pageant contestants came mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean, though two came from Africa and one from Europe. — Agence France-Presse