In a celebration of beauty and talent, Jihan Dimack from Tanzania was crowned Miss Grand International 2026 at the pageant's finale held on Saturday, October 10, at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. This significant victory marks a new chapter in pageantry as Dimack succeeds Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines, the winner of the previous year, 2025.
The competition featured fierce contenders from around the world, with Ecuador's Shyare Andrade securing the title of first runner-up. The Netherlands' Beau Megan Goos was awarded second runner-up, and Guatemala's Ximena Carrillo came in as third runner-up. Rounding out the top five was Vietnam's Emoura Phạm, who captured the position of fourth runner-up. In total, the top contenders represented a diverse group of countries, including Côted'Ivoire, Cuba, Mexico, Thailand, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, showcasing the global nature of the event.
In addition to the crowning, several special awards were distributed during the event. Côted'Ivoire was recognized with the Best in Swimsuit award, highlighting excellence in this category. Ecuador also received the prestigious Country's Power of the Year award, signifying their strength in the pageantry circuit. Puerto Rico shone in performance, winning the Grand Talent Award.
Award recognition extended to national directors as well, with Tanzania earning the Golden Grand Award in the Best National Director category, reflecting the hard work and dedication put forth by the national representatives. The Philippines and Japan were awarded Silver Grand Awards, indicating their strong contributions as well.
In the Best National Costume voting, social media engagement was pivotal, where Miss Grand Philippines took the lead in that category. Meanwhile, Miss Grand Pakistan and Miss Grand Thailand excelled in website voting categories, and Miss Grand Hong Kong caught the judges' attention, earning the title of judges' choice.
For the Philippines, the competition ended on a bittersweet note as Angelica Lopez managed to reach the Top 25 but fell short of securing a third consecutive Miss Grand International title for her country. The Philippines successfully claimed crowns through Christine Juliane "CJ" Opiaza in 2024 and Tiglao in 2025.
Overall, the event served as a vibrant demonstration of culture, beauty, and international camaraderie, culminating in Tanzania's Dimack taking home the coveted Miss Grand International crown.
This year's contest not only celebrated individual achievements but also brought together various countries and cultures, enriching the pageant experience and setting high expectations for future editions.