LOCAL model Kamal Ibrahim beat off strong competition from 73 other contestants to win the Mr World crown in Korea this weekend. The Czech Republic’s Josef Karas was runner-up and Nigeria’s Kenneth Okolie was second runner-up.
“I came hoping to make top 15, that was my goal,” he said. “I think pride is the strongest feeling right now; I keep thinking of my country, my family, my girlfriend.” The 24-year-old from Thomondgate told the press after receiving his trophy.
He has worked in Limerick promoting the Trinity Rooms nightclub and has modeled with the Celia Holman Lee Agency. He was crowned Mr Ireland in the national finals at Limerick’s Strand Hotel last August.
Ken O’Connell, who owns the Old Quarter pub, paid for his flights for the final while Trinity Rooms sponsored his “swim wear” in the swim wear category.
As well as the Mr World crown, Kamal also won $50,000 in prize money and a number of lucrative modeling contracts.
On hearing the news Celia Holman Lee said she is “absolutely thrilled” for Kamal.
Contestants had to push the limits of their talents and physical endurance in “James Bond-style” competitions around Incheon, Seoul, Gyeongju, Muju and other parts of the Korea.
During the run-up to the competition the men volunteered for Habitat for Humanity International and walked the runway in a charity fashion show for the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), a United Nations organization based in Seoul. They were also introduced to local culture by testing their Korean cuisine cooking skills, showing off taekwondo moves and visiting landmarks such as Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju.
