Photos: South African defense trainer crowned Miss Universe 2017

She recently earned a business management degree from North-West University

A South African woman who helps train women in self-defense was crowned MissUniverse on Sunday at the pageant held in Las Vegas, with Miss Colombia and Miss Jamaica also making it to the final three.
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 22, who unleashed a big smile when she won, hails from Western Cape Province and recently earned a business management degree from North-West University.

Her passion for self-defense was reinforced when she was hijacked and held at gunpoint about a month after winning her title as Miss South Africa, she said in a video on the MissUniverse website.
Miss Colombia, Laura González, 22, was the first runner-up.
She has been preparing to be an actress since the age of 16. After graduating from a performing arts school, she moved to Bogotá to build her career.
The second runner-up was Miss Jamaica, Davina Bennett, 21. She is a model pursuing a degree in marketing at the University of the West Indies.

Watch her journey as Miss Universe 2017

 

Less than two hours to gooooo! ?????????? ??Pin curls @chihaircare ??Makeup @theperfectface @flawless.finishes ??Dress @forevernew_sa Thank you for adding a little extra sparkle to my look @cahidentalpractice. Doubt I'll stop smiling this evening! #missuniverse #southafrica
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 26, 2017 at 2:11pm PST

 

#ootd Day 1 at @missuniverse ??
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 11, 2017 at 10:20pm PST

 

Yesterday was such a busy day, the only full length photo I got to sneak in?? #missuniverse #southafrica #ootd #missuniverseday1
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 12, 2017 at 7:44am PST

 

Making new friends from different sides of the world??@missnorway2017_kaja #missuniverse #southafrica #norway #missiniversesouthafrica
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 12, 2017 at 7:49am PST

 

I'm sending a little ray of sunshine your way ???? Yesterday's #ootd . Pants by @odettegomesza #missuniverse #missuniversesouthafrica #southafrica
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:02am PST

 

The three stages of eating pasta after a loooong day ?????? #missuniverse #missuniversesouthafrica #southafrica #italianfood #pasta
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:20am PST

 

We have judging preview today. My final interview will only be tomorrow. Interview is my absolute favorite part of the competition. I think you guys have by now gathered that I'm a bit of a sentimental person?? I'm wearing my outfit that I wore to my final interview as an @official_misssa finalist. Same outfit. Same heart. Different woman. Outfit by @anelbothac #proudlysouthafrican #missuniverse #missuniversesouthafrica #southafrica
A post shared by Miss South Africa 2017 (@demileighnp) on Nov 19, 2017 at 10:28am PST