Bookies have slashed odds on the Spanish entry winning this year’s competition.
Angela Ponce, the first ever transgender contestant in Miss Universe, is being backed to win this year’s competition.
Priced at 50/1 just yesterday, the same bookie now has the 27-year-old at 14/1, while a best price of 66/1 is still available. The current market leader is the South African contestant at a best price of 6/1, closely followed by the Philippines (7/1).
In 2012 the Miss Universe organisation lifted a ban on transgender contestants competing and having beaten 22 others to win her country’s qualifying competition, Angela Ponce will represent Spain in the international beauty pageant held in Bangkok.
The last time Spain won the Miss Universe competition was in 1974, when Amparo Munoz was crowned winner. Bookies expect South Africa to defend the title, won by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters last year, but the movements in the market could indicate an outside chance for Ponce.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “The odds on Spain to win have been crashing across the board today, and it would be a surprise if the 66/1 still on offer was available for much longer.”
