Tanzanian model Jihan Dimack has been crowned Miss Grand International 2026, becoming the first African woman to win the international beauty pageant. She received the crown during the final held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, October 10.
Dimack, whose full name is Jihan Mohin Dimachk, won the title after competing against contestants from around the world. She succeeds Emma Mary Tiglao of the Philippines, who held the crown in 2025.
The final runners-up were Shyare Andrade of Ecuador, who finished first runner-up, and Beau Megan Goos of the Netherlands, who placed second runner-up. Ximena Carrillo of Guatemala finished third runner-up, while Emoura Pham of Vietnam took fourth runner-up.
Dimack’s victory is a milestone for Tanzania and Africa. Since Miss Grand International began in 2013, no African woman had won the main title before her 2026 victory.
Her success also marks another important chapter in a pageant career that began years before this international win. In 2014, she finished as second runner-up at Miss Tanzania. Two years later, she won Miss Universe Tanzania and went on to represent her country at Miss Universe in the Philippines in 2017.
After building her modelling career and gaining international work experience, Dimack returned to pageantry in 2026. She won Miss Grand Tanzania in August, earning the opportunity to represent her country at the international competition.
During the final question-and-answer round, she spoke about using love to address inequality and bringing people together despite their differences. Her message focused on respect, unity and equal treatment.
Beyond pageantry, Dimack has lived in Tanzania, Lebanon and Mozambique and has worked in China in modelling, sales and live commerce, according to her official Miss Grand International profile.
Her win gives Tanzania its first Miss Grand International crown and makes her a history-making figure in African beauty pageants. It also brings greater attention to Tanzania’s presence on the international pageant stage.
