Miss Universe: Down the years

Who would have thought that a local competition would metamorphose into an international annual tradition with countless young women around the world vying to become Miss Universe. As the countdown begins for Miss Universe 2008, let's have a sneak peak at the winners of Miss Universe competition down the years.... Ms Universe 1993: Dayanar Torres of Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe out of a field of 79 beauty queens from around the world on May 21, 1993. The competition for a crown, scholarship and prizes this year drew contestants as varied as an aspiring anchorwoman, psychologists and architects.

Ms Universe 1994: The new Miss Universe Sushmita Sen (L) of India is crowned by outgoing Miss Univers Dayanara Torres (R) on May 21, 1994. Sushmita, an 18-year-old model from New Delhi, beat 76 other contestants to become the first Indian winner of the world's most prestigious beauty pageant. (AFP Photo)

Ms Universe 1995: Miss USA, Chelsi Smith (L) is crowned by outgoing Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen from India at the Windhoek Country Club 13 May in Namibia during a live telecast. Manpreet Brar from India was second and Lana Buchburger from Canada finished third. (AFP Photo)

Ms Universe 1996: Former Miss Venezuela, Alicia Machado (L) of age 19, from Maracay, won Miss Universe Crown at Newada in Las Vegas on May 17, 1996. Alicia did her first year law and second year business administration. Former Miss Universe 1995, Chelsi Smith puts a crown on Alicia. (AFP Photo/Miss Universe INC )

Ms Universe 1997: Brooke Mahealani Lee (L) of United States was crowned Miss Universe by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado of Venezuela (R) on May 16,1997 at Miami Beach Convention Center. (AFP Photo/Chris Bernacchi)

Ms Universe 1998: Miss Universe 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinadad and Tobago, lie on Waikiki Beach, the day after winning the Miss Universe Pageant in Honolulu located at Hawaii. (AFP Photo/Miss Universe Organization)

Ms Universe 1999: Miss Botswana 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe, 19, reacts as she became the 48th woman to be crowned Miss Universe on May 26, 1999 in Chaguaramas at Trinidad and Tobago. (AFP Photo/Miss Universe Organization)

Ms Universe 2000: Former Miss India, Lara Dutta was crowned Miss Universe 2000, by outgoing title-holder Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana in Nicosia on May 13, 2000. (AFP Photo)

Ms Universe 2001: Denise Quinones waves to the crowd after she won the 50th Miss Universe Crown contest held at Bayamon in Puerto Rico on May 11, 2001. Hundreds of spectators watched the 50-year-old annual pageant at the packed Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in the San Juan suburb of Bayamon. (AFP Photo/ Darren Decker)

Ms Universe 2002: Twenty-four year-old Oxana Fedorova of Russia poses in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum shortly after being crowned Miss Universe 2002 at the 51st annual Miss Universe competition on May 29, 2002 in Puerto Rico.This post-graduate student and lecturer spended her year traveling and promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. AFP Photo/Darren Decker)

Ms Universe 2003: Miss Dominican Republic Amelia Vega sends a kiss after she was crowned Miss Universe on June 03, 2003 in Panama.Seventy-one delegates participated in the 52nd Annual Miss Universe Competition. (AFP Photo/Teresita Chavarria)

Ms Universe 2004: Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins smiles after being crowned Miss Universe 2004 on June 01, 2004 at Quito in Ecuador. Almost eighty delegates participated in the 53nd Annual Miss Universe Competition. (AFP Photo/Martin Bernetti)

Ms Universe 2005: Miss Canada Natalie Glebova waves after winning the Miss Universe 2005 contest in Bangkok on May 31, 2005. (AFP Photo/Adrees Latif)

Ms Universe 2006: Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza won Miss Universe 2006 title in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Beauties from 86 nations met for the 55th Miss Universe pageant, vying to succeed Canadian Natalie Glebova in a contest little-watched in its host country. (AFP Photo)

Ms Universe 2007: Miss Japan Riyo Mori (R) was crowned Miss Universe 2007 by 2006 winner Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza (L) of Puerto Rico on May 28, 2007 in Mexico. Riyo, a Japanese model, won out of 77 other contestants from around the world. (AFP Photo/Luis Acousta)

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, waves after she was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 during the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on Monday, July 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez waves after being crowned Miss Universe 2009 at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009. (AP/Andres Leighton)