Miss Venezuela : Dayana Mendoza Crowned Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela : Dayana Mendoza Crowned Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, has been crowned Miss Universe 2008.

She defeated 80 beauties from different countries to clinch the prestigious Miss Universe crown for 2008.

The pageant with 80 contenders vying for the title was held in the seaside town of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

The four other finalists were Miss Colombia Tailana Vargas, Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Mexico Elisa Najera, and Miss Russia Vera Krasova.

Dayana addresses a press conference after winning the crowned title.

The 22-year-old winner was crowned by Japan's Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007.

Tears of joy immediately rolled down from Dayana's eyes when her name was announced as the winner by the presenter, US talkshow host Jerny Springer.