(1 Nov 2013) Brazil's Marcelo Ohio was named Miss International Queen 2013 in Thailand on Friday, after fighting off competition from 25 other contestants at the annual transgender pageant.
The 18 year-old waved and clasped her hands in a traditional Thai gesture of respect after the results were announced at the event in Pattaya.
Speaking to media after the event, she said she had finally achieved her dreams.
"For all those who believed in me here is the proof. For all that people that supported me I say that I got to where I wanted to be. This is it," she said.
This year saw a contestant from Thailand's neighbouring Myanmar compete - a first in the nine years the pageant has been running.
28 year-old Tanya Maung was excited to represent her country, and hoped it would change attitudes back home.
"So I'm from Myanmar, so most of my country's people still don't have an open mind with transgender," she said.
Friday's pageant opened with the candidates wearing their national costume, followed by an evening gown competition.
10 semi-finalists were selected from among the 25 contestants, and were eventually narrowed down to three.
Ohio will receive 300,000 Thai Baht (10,000 US dollars), a Miss International Queen crown and trophy.
Her role as Miss International Queen will see her act as a goodwill ambassador for transgender people worldwide.
According to the pageant's rules and conditions for entry, contestants should have been naturally born genetic male, and must be a transvestite or a pre or post-operation transsexual.
A proof of natural genetic gender is required either by birth certificate or medical genetic verification.

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