Sanya reminds Chantal Raymond of Jamaica

Chantal Raymond will today compete for the title of Miss World. Representing Jamaica has brought the young beauty much pride and she has written to the country, telling it of her experiences in China. She is finally in Sanya, China, and this will be the last letter she writes before she competes. Enjoy!

Hi Jamaica,

We are now in Sanya on China's only tropical island. Sanya reminds me so much of Jamaica, with its high mountain peaks, turquoise waters, large palm trees and windy roads.

Sanya prides itself as being the home of Miss World. It is the same location where beauties like Jade Fulford, Tonoya Toyloy, Terri-Karelle Griffith, and Yendi Phillipps also represented Jamaica in their quest for the Miss World title.

Last week, I had the most amazing experience of my entire trip. Six contestants and I were chosen to go to a charity outing for a local girls' football team in a depressed area of Sanya. We were greeted by loud cheers from hundreds of high-school-aged students that came to see us.

Our waves and smiles were met by thunderous applause, kisses and screams from the sea of people below us. When we got closer, they ran to us asking us to autograph their clothes, write messages in their books or just touch their hands. My fellow contestants and I were completely amazed by this extremely warm reception.

Next, we changed into football jerseys to do a penalty shoot-out against the Sanya female football team. The other Miss World contestants and I took penalty kicks in alphabetical order.

First up was Miss Argentina followed by Miss Aruba and Miss Germany. They kicked the ball well, but straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the Sanya team scored two goals. The referee felt sorry for us and even let Miss Germany kick a second time, but still no luck. Then, the announcer called for Miss Jamaica to take her penalty.

My two second walk to the ball felt like two minutes because I could feel the eyes of everyone watching me.

Football star

I leaned in to kick the ball, with my toes, of course, rather than the inside of my foot like my father had shown me some years ago. I kicked left. The goalkeeper went right and the announcer screamed "GOOOAAALLL!"

I felt really proud to score the first goal for my team, especially since I am representing a country best known in China for its athletic prowess.

Miss Mexico and Thailand then joined me by scoring their own goals. Although the Sanya team scored four goals to our three, my fellow contestants and I felt extraordinarily happy to be part of such a phenomenal event. We also represented the Miss World organisation as they donated US$30,000 to the local football team.

Don't forget to watch the Miss World show today!

Kisses from China,

Chantal Raymond

Miss Jamaica World 2010