SEOUL: An 81-year-old model fell short in her quest to become the oldest contestant in Miss Universe history, competing against much younger rivals in the South Korean pageant.

Wearing a beaded white gown, the silver-haired Choi Soon-hwa gracefully took to the stage and showcased her talents in a singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant held on Monday at a hotel in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. While she did not win the crown, she earned the “best dresser” award.

The contest was won by Han Ariel, a 22-year-old fashion school student, who will represent South Korea in the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City this November.

Choi, a former hospital care worker who began her modeling career in her 70s, was announced as a finalist for Miss Universe Korea earlier this month, alongside 31 other contestants.

“Even at this age, I had the courage to seize an opportunity and take on a challenge,” Choi told The Associated Press just hours before the pageant.

“I want people to look at me and realize that you can live healthier and find joy in life when you pursue your passions and challenge yourself to achieve your dreams.”

Previously, it would have been impossible for Choi to compete in the pageant, as Miss Universe had restricted participation to women between the ages of 18 and 28. This age limit, which had long faced criticism, was lifted this year to modernize and diversify the competition.

Additionally, the organizers of the Korean pageant eliminated the swimsuit competition and relaxed eligibility requirements regarding education, height, and foreign language skills to make the contest more inclusive for women.