With the 34 gentlemen all accounted for, let me now trot out my leaderboard.
TOP CONTENDERS: MALTA, SPAIN, TOGO, VENEZUELA
SHOO-INS: COLOMBIA, INDIA, MEXICO, NEPAL, PERU, POLAND, PUERTO RICO, UNITED STATES
LIKELIEST: CZECH REPUBLIC, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, FRANCE, GREECE, MOROCCO, PHILIPPINES, SIERRA LEONE, SLOVAKIA, SOUTH AFRICA,
SOCIAL MEDIA FACTOR: BRAZIL, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE
EXCELLENT: KOREA,
VERY STRONG: ARUBA, BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS, ROMANIA, THAILAND
STRONG: HAITI, NORTH MACEDONIA, PANAMA
And now, my “FEARFUL” FORECAST:
FINAL FIVE: MALTA, NEPAL, SPAIN, VENEZUELA, TOGO
TOP 10: COLOMBIA, MEXICO, PERU, POLAND, UNITED STATES
TOP 20: BRAZIL, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, GREECE, INDIA, INDONESIA, MOROCCO, PHILIPPINES, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH AFRICA
BUBBLING UNDER: CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, SIERRA LEONE, SLOVAKIA
STRIKING DISTANCE: KOREA, SINGAPORE
It looks like it’s 2017 all over again, with SPAIN (Lucas Munoz Alonso) and VENEZUELA (William Badell) duking it out for the win. But watch out as the judges could be in the mood for something more refreshing, like MALTA (Raffael Fiedler) or TOGO (Abdel Kacem Tefridj) pulling off an upset, with COLOMBIA (Manuel Molano) and NEPAL (Santosh Upadhyaya) lurking to seize the title from those guys. Best of luck to all the guys!
NETHERLANDS – Sebastian Martinez. He has very strikng cheekbones and a sinewy lean physique perfect for modeling. He’s also a solid communicator. But he’s not making a standout impression, so as much as he’s solid, he’s likely going to end up an also-ran.
NORTH MACEDONIA – Denis Aljush. He’s second runner-up in the Supra Star Search and this is how he earned his slot to compete here. He has good credentials as he’s a medical doctor and a fashion designer. He has the least rippled physique amongst the guys in this batch, but I fear he could be considered the cellar-dweller because of the fact that this pageant is held in Poland–let’s just say he exudes this “fabulous” vibe with his poses actually cribbed from the likes of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and considering the conservative government ruling in this country, I think we should be thankful for him just simply being here.
PANAMA – Luis Baloyes. See HAITI, though he’s buffed and he tries to charm people by complimenting on their beauty, like what he did in the Supra-Chat. Otherwise he’s a tad raw.
PERU – Varo Vargas. This actor and singer/songwriter has undeniable charisma that some were hyping would make him a Final Five contender. However, some observers feel his interview skills needed a bit more work, but his appeal and charisma is just too undeniable that he’s a Top 20 shoo-in and a likely Top 10 finisher.
PHILIPPINES – John Adajar. In my reckoning this world MMA champion is the second best representative we have fielded in this pageant, behind 2018’s Marco Poli. But Marco Poli actually ended up a surprisingly low 18th place, and our best performance thus far was in the inaugural edition in 2016 with AR dela Cerna*1. Now, as much as I’m rooting for him outperforming AR’s finish, I’m actually worried that him sustaining our Top 20 streak is not a sure thing. First, even if as charming and gregarious a personality as he has, there are stronger communicators and more memorable personalities in this batch. Plus, with some slots reserved for fast-track challenge events like Supra Chat and Supra Influencer, say if someone like SINGAPORE garnered that slot, it could knock out that slot that should’ve belonged to this guy. Our best hope is if he wins the Supra Influencer challenge to secure our streak.
Based on front photos, one might assume the most tatted guy would be ARUBA. But the swimwear round revealed that John holds the most tatted guy title, as he revealed an elaborate, Japanese-style tattoo on his back. Let’s just say, knowing how tattoos are generally taboo in Japan, he would have to put on large skinpatches if he wishes to bathe in an onsen (public bath) there.
I need to add a piquant note about John–he actually was a presence in the broadcast of the last Mister World competition, which was held here. Being a world champion MMA fighter, he conducted a workshop for the Mister World contestants which then led to an MMA competition that was part of the Sports challenge. This reinforces his connection with the Miss World Philippines Organization and this became the path that made him a handpicked choice to represent us in this pageant.
*1 John actually competed alongside AR at Misters of the Philippines, where he finished in the Top 10 back in 2015.
POLAND – Daniel Borzewski. He is a singer/dancer who performed in Eurovision–as part of the backup dancers behind Rafal‘s “The Ride” in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Whether he also sang on the recording, that I’m not certain as for this year’s contest they decided to allow for pre-recorded backing vocals instead of requiring them to be live. If the older rules were in place, perhaps his vocals would’ve been used, too. Anyway, this host contestant has a clean-cut handsomeness that he’s likely to sustain his country’s streak in this pageant.
PUERTO RICO – Francisco Vergara. See PERU, but he’s a better regarded communicator, and arguably a stronger singer technically. His singing skills are close to the levels of Josh Groban, so it’s not surprising that for the talent round, he covered “You Raise Me Up“, which was made famous by that artist. Though there is more hype towards PERU, no one should discount this guy’s prospects.
ROMANIA – Geany Daniel Zamfir. This fitness trainer is buffed and handsome like GREECE and MOROCCO, but he doesn’t have as strong communication skills to make more serious inroads.
SIERRA LEONE – Abu Bakarr Bakish Tarawalle. He got shortlisted in Top Model and is a solid communicator, so there might be a scenario where he would make the Top 20.
SINGAPORE – Sauffi Gonzales. He’s buffed and attractive and a good speaker but I don’t find him that charismatic. Yet he seems to have a strong social media following that helped him win the Supra Chat for his group (which included PHILIPPINES) and also figured in the Fan Vote. He could secure a Top 20 slot via those paths, possibly knocking out some more handsome contenders in the process.
SLOVAKIA – Marek Jastrab. He proves he has strong modeling skills, hence he was shortlisted in Top Model. I may quibble that he walks like a lumberjack while in an elegant suit, but there are a lot of people who would find that very masculine vibe very appealing. He could be a likely Top 20 finisher.
SOUTH AFRICA – Akshar Birbal. He’s a beefy giant with brains and great communication skills. He’s a iikely Top 20 contender.
SPAIN – Lucas Muñoz Alonso. He’s the second-tallest guy in this year’s competition who actually covers all the bases. Though his English is far from perfect, he got great notices in his Supra Chat, but his most compelling quality is his handsomeness and buffness. For me, he’s the main obstacle to VENEZUELA’s apparent path to the title. His handsomeness at first glance made me think of a young Matthew McConaughey–can I nickname him Matias Maconoje?
THAILAND – Nipul Kaewruan. At 19 years old, he’s the youngest contestant in this year’s batch. He actually has a nice boyish appeal but he doesn’t quite stand out, so I’m not that bullish over his Top 20 prospects.
TOGO – Abdel Kecem Tefridj. He’s the tallest guy in this year’s batch and he is emerging as a possible usurper over the powerful hunky tandem of SPAIN and VENEZUELA. He made Top Three in Top Model and he turns out to be a sincere and thoughtful communicator. Like MALTA he can be another “refreshing” option over the two perceived front runners.
UNITED STATES – Felix Martin II. He may not be that heavily buzzed about but no one should underestimate this guy as he’s a complete package of a sexy charisma, buffed physique and great communication skills.
VENEZUELA – William Badell. He identifies himself as indigenous but his name and features indicate there is some European blood flowing in his veins. For me he’s a cut above the rest of the pack, especially as besides his clean-cut handsomeness and buffness he has top-notch communication skills and an outgoing personality, along with a strong backstory about overcoming obesity and embracing his advocacy for the indigenous people in his country. I can visualize next year, he’ll be easily conducting a “Supra Chat with William”. The only hindrance besides some more refreshing competition is the perception of some fans that perhaps he’s too slick and over-prepared.
Since its inception in 2016, the Mister Supranational pageant has been conducted concurrently with its distaff counterpart and the Polish national pageant Miss Polski. There are practical and economic considerations for conducting it this way, which can be considered synergistic for all three pageants. Let’s just say, the intro paragraph from my Miss Supranational homestretch review could be copied almost word-for-word for this pageant. The minor modification I would make is that the turnout of 34 is equal to its lowest turnout in the 2017 edition. It would’ve been 35, but MALAYSIA (Wan Mohammad Aiman) actually particiapted in the first episode of Supra-Chat, but due to COVID restrictions could not make it. The remaining contestants prove to be a very competitive bunch though, so let’s take a look at them starting with…
ARUBA – Derrel Lampe. He’s fit and attractive, though not generating the needed buzz to make the Top 20. Based on frontal view, it might be assumed he is the most tatted guy in tis batch, but from the swimwear round and with views from the back, there is one guy who holds the most tatted distinction…
BELGIUM – Jean Atekha. He’s actually born of Nigerian parents. He was shortlisted in Top Model, but I’m not that bullish that this will translate to an overall Top 20 finish as there are more compelling and charismatic choices out there.
BRAZIL -João Henrique Lemes. To be blunt, lookswise he seems to be the weakest representative fielded by this pageant powerhouse. I find his facial features plain, his height relatively short, and his physique verging towards being too bulky. Despite some quibbles about his Supra-Chat performance, he actually won his group and placements in Supra Influencer and Supra Fan Vote may provide a path for him to sustain this country’s streak.
COLOMBIA – Manuel Molano He proved that his 1st runner-up finish at the 12th Mister International pageant is no fluke, as he’s competing at a high level here. This deadringer to famous Filipino model Jon Hall is Top Three in Top Model and could possibly win it as he was ferocious on the catwalk and delivered a twist on that “Blue Steel” look parodied on that Ben Stiller cult comedy hit Zoolander. His twist is that you would never mistake him for a vapid himbo like that movie’s title character–he’s fierceness with brains. He can make a play for the Final Five.
CZECH REPUBLIC – David Kremen. There is a manly handsomeness about him and solid communication skills for him to be a Top 20 contender, but his less-than-rippled physique might prevent him from landing that spot.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Ivan Oleaga. He’s not that heavily hyped or buzzed but you cannot find any fault on him to say he doesn’t belong in the Top 20. He could be a worthy, stealthy sleeper choice.
ECUADOR – Mario Iglesias. He’s handsome and a great communicator. However, like BRAZIL, he’s one of the shorter guys and his physique is on the thicker and bulky side. This is most apparent in the formal wear round of the preliminary competition, as he sported an all-white suit that for me looks unflattering. Would his other sterling qualities be able to overcome that quibble?
FRANCE – Fabien Mounoussamy. In previous editions this country tend to field raw duds. Though this guy from the overseas department of Reunion (in the Indian Ocean) is low-key, he actually has a charm about him that he can be a sleeper possibility for the Top 20.
GREECE – Spiros Nikolaidis. At first glance I thought he would be one of those handsome guys who may not have much personality or spark, especially when I watched his terse and colorless introduction video. But buzz about him has been rising that some are even hyping he can go Final Five, and I discovered some social media posts that show he has an outgoing, cheeky side that made me understand where that hype is at.
HAITI – Theodore Bien-Aime. He’s relatively raw compared to the strong contenders out there but in a less competitive year he would’ve been considered middle-of-the-pack. But interestingly, he’s first runner-up in the Supra-Star Search.
INDIA – Rahul Rajasekharan. He’s handsome, and with his background as an actor and TV personality he is outgoing and has good communication skills. But sometimes I feel he seems a tad over-prepared that as much as based on looks I would rank him as the top Asian, I have a feeling a fellow from his region would take that distinction instead.
INDONESIA – Okky Alparessi. He’s actually in the same boat as BRAZIL, albeit I find his trim physique more to my liking and no one can find fault with his communication skills, from Supra-Chat and others.
KOREA – Cho Young-Dong. He has a potential to channel a K-Pop type of charisma, and he comes close to that, but I feel not enough for him to be a serious Top 20 contender.
MALTA – Raffael Fiedler. Many are buzzing about his refreshing brand of handsomeness that some are thinking he can upset the two mega-charismatic frontrunners in this competition. He is Top Three in Top Model and he’s a down=to-earth but thoughtful communicator, so he could pull that off.
MEXICO – Gustavo Rosas. He has this outgoing charm about him combined with his handsome boyish looks (with that hint of scruff) that many (including myself) assume he’s on the road to a Final FIve finish. As stellar as he still is, though, buzz seems to have faded and contenders like COLOMBIA, MALTA, NEPAL, and TOGO overtaking him in buzz, not to mention rising buzz about GREECE and MOROCCO. I still wouldn’t count him out of contention though–his qualities are too undeniable.
MOROCCO – Walid Chakir. He’s in the same boat as GREECE, with a rougher, sexier, almost bad-boy vibe. I find him also relatively on the shorter side but I understand how his appeal can be undeniable.
NEPAL – Santosh Upadhyaya. He got his ticket to compete via the Supra Star Search competition. Even if he’s one of the shortest contestants in this batch, everything about him is so sterling that he can make a play for the Final Five. He actually has the charisma of a Bollywood star, he has a background as a medical doctor, and with that has superb communication skills, and on top of that he’s a poet and musician. He seems to be the most likely winner of the Talent competition with his performance of a traditional Nepalese song (and I think also reciting a poem). This renaissance man can be the top performing Asian in this batch.
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