Pyszková posing for a photo with members of the KDCA during her visit to Penampang. — Photo from Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan official Facebook page
Miss World is not just a beauty queen but a humanitarian ambassador as well.
WINNING the Miss World title is no easy feat, but what comes after is arguably even more challenging, as Krystyna Pyszková can attest.
Yet Pyszková, who hails from the Czech Republic, has no complaints about her busy schedule and new responsibilities – not just as a beauty queen but as a humanitarian ambassador when she made her first visit to Malaysia this month.
Fresh from being crowned the world’s most beautiful woman in a glittering contest in the Philippines in March, the 25-year-old began her visit to Sabah on July 21 as part of the Miss World Beauty with a Purpose Tour. She was ready to get down and dirty when it mattered.
Together with Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and the state’s Unduk Ngadau queen Hyellene Danius, the Czech beauty helped collect 402kg of rubbish from the scenic Dalit Beach in Tuaran, about 40km from Kota Kinabalu.
She then took time to experience local customs and traditions by visiting the Koisaan Cultural Village, located at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) grounds in the Penampang district.
Wearing her crown with elegance, Pyszková toured the village to the beat of gongs and locals dressed in full native regalia, eager to welcome a reigning Miss World into their community.
“I’ve always planned to come to Malaysia but could not find the time to do so. I’m lucky to be here this time, and I absolutely love it – it looks like paradise,” Pyszková said.
The beauty queen visited four houses of local ethnic groups, tasted native cuisines, and even tried her skills in the magunatip, or bamboo dance.
She mingled with locals and mesmerised them with her grace and genuine interest in their age-old beliefs, showing why she was chosen for the Miss World title after besting 111 other stunning contestants four months ago.
“We had such a beautiful visit at the cultural village here. We were treated to a showcase of cuisines, local traditions, and dances.
Joniston (third left) joining Pyszková (third right) and Hyellene (second right), in the Pantai Dalit beach clean-up programme.
“For me, it was an unbelievable experience. My favourite part is, for sure, the bamboo dance. It was a lot of fun but hard,” Pyszková added.
Touching on the beach clean-up, she said the effort might be small-scale, but it is important to involve the community in such causes so they can hopefully grow into something bigger and make a meaningful impact.
“It is essential to begin somewhere and inspire others to take action,” she said, adding that education and awareness are vital in tackling global pollution and waste issues.
Besides her cultural experience, Pyszková also visited and helped raise much-needed funds for the Palliative Care Support Centre and the Sabah Autism Society.
She was accompanied by Julia Morley, CEO and chairman of the Miss World Organisation, Miss World Malaysia national director Dr Sean Wong, and Miss World Malaysia 2023 Saroop Roshi.
The group’s efforts received special praise from Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who commended their work in preserving the environment, assisting the community, and helping disadvantaged families.
“They also visited the Sabah Autism Society, demonstrating their support for children with autism, and the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu, where Morley has generously pledged US$20,000 to support patients in need.
“They also visited the Children and Women’s Hospital in Likas to deliver gifts to 45 children suffering from cancer and thalassemia, celebrating their birthdays and bringing joy to these young warriors,” Liew said.
She added that the delegation would also visit Yayasan Nur Jauhar with RM50,000 in funds raised, underscoring their commitment to helping disadvantaged families.
Pyszková said her main passion was providing education to people.
“It started, let’s say, by accident when I visited Tanzania. I fell in love with the people, and I decided to join a foundation there. Together, we were able to raise funds and start building a new school for children in rural areas. I’m really proud to say that we have more than 100 students to this day, and we’re providing them with quality English classes, especially for the underprivileged ones – and that makes me happy,” she said.
She added that she was also starting her own charitable foundation focused on education.
So, what’s next for the 71st Miss World after her reign? Education, of course, Pyszková said, as she plans to complete her studies in law and management.
“But I will definitely continue working on my foundation and the ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ journey because that started before the pageant. It’s not going to end after my reign,” she said.
