On Nov. 9, the Miss Universe beauty pageant will take place and 86 contestants will look to take home the crown. Among the contestants are Czech Republic's Gabriela Kratochvílová and Denmark's Cecilia Iftikhar.
Kratochvílová was raised in Chotebor, Czech Republic, where she discovered her passion for sports and dance. She immediately took up fitness aerobics, snowboarding, disco and ballroom dancing, figure skating and football. Kratochvílová is also passionate about the arts, and loves drawing, films and playing the piano. She currently studies marketing and communication at the University of Finance and Administration in Prague. She received her Bachelor's degree in hotel management, gastronomy and tourism. Her road to Miss Universe began when she won the Miss Universe Czech Republic in 2013 and was the first short-hair winner.
The Czech Republic has never won the pageant but on three occasions made it to the top ten. The last time the nation made it to the top 15 was in 2010 with Jitka Valkova
Iftikhar graduated from the University of Copenhagen and is currently a dental hygienist. The model has Pakistani and Danish roots and sees her mixed background as a blessing because she has been able to experience two different cultures, customs and traditions. Iftikhar loves going to the gym, playing with her nieces and surrounding herself with the people that make her laugh. She has also helped develop the White Ribbon Organization, which works to prevent violence against women.
Her road to Miss Universe started in 2013 when she won Miss Universe Denmark. She began modeling in 2011, when she won the Miss Earth competition.
Denmark has never won the pageant but in 1963 Aino Korwa won the first runner-up.
The Miss Universe Pageant will be held at Crocus City Hall in Moscow Russia on Nov. 9, 2013, when the current title holder Olivia Culpo will crown her successor.