Puerto Rican beauty queen Valerie Hernandez is crowned Miss International 2014

By Annabel Fenwick Elliott for MailOnline

and claims her win is ‘a hard responsibility’

Winner: Valerie Hernandez (pictured), a 21-year-old student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico, won Miss International 2014 at Tuesday’s finals, the beauty pageant’s 54th event, held in Tokyo, Japan

Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico has been crowned Miss International 2014.

The 21-year-old student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico, won her title at last night’s finals, the beauty pageant’s 54th annual event, held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan.

Dressed in a gold-embellished white gown, Ms Hernandez sobbed with joy as she was officially crowned by Miss International 2013 winner Bea Santiago of the Philippines.

During the question-and-answer rounds in the lead-up to the finals, Ms Hernandez stated, according to the Philippine Star: ‘Thinking about [the] Miss International title, I think it’s not just crown, it’s not just the title, it’s one of the hardest responsibilities.

‘As Miss International, I want to send a message of love, peace, and unity.’

Ms Hernadez celebrated her win flanked by the rest of the top five; first-runner up Zuleika Suarez of Colombia, second runner-up Punika Kulsoontornrut of Thailand, third runner-up Victoria Tooby of the United Kingdom and fourth runner-up Milla Romppanen of Finland.

On her official Facebook page, Ms Hernandez claims she was trained in classical ballet at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina.

She lists Pizza Hut and Professional Gym as previous employers.

THE RESULTS

Miss International 2014: Valerie Hernandez, Puerto RicoFirst Runner-up: Zuleika Suárez, Colombia

Second Runner-up: Punika Kulsoontornrut, Thailand

Third Runner-up: Victoria Tooby, United Kingdom

Fourth Runner-up: Milla Romppanen, Finland

Along with its rivals – Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational contests – Miss International is one of the four largest beauty pageants in the world.

It was launched in Long Beach, California in 1960, but moved to Japan in 1968, where it is has been held almost every year since.

Those that did make the top ten, but not the top five, are as follows: Argentina’s Josefina José Herrero, Brazil’s Deise Benício, Indonesia’s Elfin Pertiwi Rappa, Mexico’s Vianey Vázquez and Panama’s Aileen Bernal.

First runner-up Ms Suárez, from Colombia, won both the Miss Friendship and the Miss Best Dresser special awards; and Ms Rappa from Indonesia won Best National Costume. France’s Aurianne Sinacola was awarded Miss Perfect Body.

According to Miss International, the pageant is aimed at promoting ‘Love peace and excitement to the world’.

The contestants are expected to serve as ‘ambassadors of peace and beauty’, serving ‘tenderness, generosity, friendship, beauty, intelligence and a great international sensibility.’

: Winner: Valerie Hernandez (pictured), a 21-year-old student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico, won Miss International 2014 at Tuesday’s finals, the beauty pageant’s 54th event, held in Tokyo, Japan

: Grin and bear it: Miss Thailand (right) wipes a tear from the face of winner Miss Puerto Rico, as Miss Colombia (left) exercises her best gracious-loser smile

: Top five: Ms Hernandez (center) poses with first runner-up, Colombia’s Zuleika Suárez (far left), second runner-up, Thailand’s Punika Kulsoontornrut (far right), third runner-up, United Kingdom’s Victoria Tooby (second from left) and fourth runner-up, Finland’s Milla Romppanen (second from right)

: In all her glory: Ms Hernandez wore a floor-length white gown embellished with gold sequins

: Giddy: She added, ‘as Miss International, I want to send a message of love, peace, and unity’

: Dream come true: Dressed in a gold-embellished white gown, Ms Hernandez sobbed with joy as she was crowned by Miss International 2013 winner Bea Santiago of the Philippines (right)

: Regal: During the question-and-answer rounds in the lead-up to the finals, Ms Hernandez reportedly stated: ‘I think it’s not just crown, it’s not just the title, it’s one of the hardest responsibilities’