Ibrahim, Contestants Best Friend
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
He's not just a handsome face, but first and foremost a man's man.
Kamal Ibrahim of Ireland was chosen as Mr World 2010 ― ``the world's most desirable man'' ― in Incheon, Saturday.
In winning the title, the 24-year-old won more than just the favor of the judges; he was acknowledged by his fellow contestants as a good sport and stood out for his leadership.
``I don't know what to say. … Let's go yellow team!'' was Ibrahim's immediate reaction after he was announced as the winner at the finale at Sondo ConvensiA. He turned to the yellow team ― one of the four groups the participants were divided into ― to share the joy.
He never expected to make it past the semifinals, but others seem to disagree.
``It is a well-deserved win; he has everything it takes to be the world's most desirable man,'' said runner-up Josef Karas of the Czech Republic. The second runner-up, Nigeria's Kenneth Okolie, also expressed his congratulations.
``His success is like my success. He was the leader of the yellow team,'' said Roman Mironov, who represented Kazakhstan in the contest and roomed with Ibrahim during the 16-day sojourn in Korea.
``He is really a man, not a boy. He does not dream about being a superstar but he wants to be happy in his life and have a wife and kids,'' he said.
Indeed fame or money ― such as the cash prize of $50,000 the winner is entitled to ― didn't seem to be on the mind of the new Mr World.
``I don't know what's planned for me; I don't know whether I need to plan things. First I want to go home and see my family, and I want to take it one day at a time and make the most of it,'' he told reporters in a press conference following the finale.
He does look forward to representing his country, and striving harder for his dream. Ibrahim works as a TV presenter in Limerick and also models, but he ultimately wants to become an airline pilot.
``Flying is my passion, and I want to make it happen,'' he said.
He also takes back fond memories. ``One thing I'm going to miss more than anything is the atmosphere, being around all these guys from different countries,'' he said. He added that he expects to keep a long-lasting friendship with his Kazakh roommate.
This year's event, co-organized by the Miss World Organization and the Hankook Ilbo-Korea Times Media Group, attracted the largest ever number of contestants representing 74 countries around the world.
The young men, aged 18 to 32, took part in daredevil sporting events, a spicy cooking challenge and a charity fashion show, among others.
Ibrahim also said paint-balling and visiting a ski resort in Muju, North Jeolla Province were firsts. Another souvenir he will take back to Ireland is his memory of Koreans.
``What I noticed in Korea is the behavior and attitude in people ― the sense of honor, the sense of respect,'' he said.
The star-studded finale was televised in some 140 countries. Top actors Lee Da-hae and Julien Kang, and British pop star Alesha Dixon presented the show. Guest performers included idol ban Girls' Generation and opera sensation Paul Potts.
On the judging panel were Julia Morley, chairperson of the Miss World Organization; designer Andre Kim; Mr World 1996 Tom Nuyens of Belgium; Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar; Miss Korea 2009 Kim Joo-ri; Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia; Miss World 2007 Zhang Zilin of China; and Krish Naido, the international ambassador for the Miss World Organization.
아일랜드의 이브라힘 미스터 월드로 뽑혀
단지 잘생긴 얼굴만이 아니다. 무엇보다도 남자 중의 남자이기 때문이다.
아일랜드 출신의 카말 이브라힘이 지난 토요일 인천에서 열린 세계에서 가장 바람직한 남성 대회인 “미스터 월드 2010”에 뽑혔다.
이 타이틀을 받으면서 카말(24)은 심사위원들이 준 영예이상을 얻었다. 즉 그는 경쟁 동료들로부터 좋은 녀석으로 인정을 받았으며 자신의 리더쉽이 돋보였다.
송도 컨벤시아에서 가진 결선에서 우승자로 발표되자 이브라힘은 “뭐라 말해야 할 지 모르겠습니다… 황색팀 같이 나갑시다!”라고 즉각적으로 반응을 보였다. 그는 참가자들이 4 개로 나뉘어져 있던 중 한 하나인 황색팀으로 돌아가 기쁨을 같이 했다.
그는 준결승을 통과하리라 결코 기대하지 않았으나 다른 사람들은 이에 동의하지 않는 듯 했다.
2등인 체크 공화국 출신의 조세프 카라스는 “받을만한 우승자입니다. 세계에서 가장 바람직한 남성이 되기 위한 조간을 다 갖추었습니다”고 말했다. 3위인 나이제리아 출신의 케네쓰 오콜리에도 축하를 해주었다.
이번 대회에서 카작스탄 대표로 출전한 미란 미로노프는 “그의 성공은 나의 성공같습니다. 그는 황색팀의 지도자였습니다”라고 말했다. 그는 한국에 16일 동안 머물며 이브라힘과 룸메이트였다.
그는 “그는 정말 남자에요. 소년이 아니에요. 그는 수퍼스타가 되는 꿈을 꾸지도 않았어요. 그러나 생애 중 행복하고 싶습니다. 아내와 애들을 갖고 싶습니다”라고 말했다.
우승자에게 주어지는 5만 달러의 상금이나 명예는 정말 새로 탄생한 미스터월드의 마음에 있는 것 같지 않았다.
이브라힘은 리머리크에서 TV 사회자로 일하고 있으나 궁극적으로 항공기 조종사가 되고 싶어하는 젊은이다. 그는 여러 나라에서 온 대표들과 같이 지냈던게 너무 즐거웠고 계속 친분을 유지하고 싶다고 말했다.