2007 saw a record number of countries compete in the search to find the world’s most desirable man and this year will be no exception.

The beautiful city of Sanya, China that lies on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island hosted the event.

Mr World 2007 was televised across the globe, with an estimated audience of over 1billion people in over one hundred countries. Over the weeks of the competition, the competitors were tested on their strength, perseverance, mental agility and determination, set against a backdrop of China’s most spectacular locations.

The final was filmed live from Sanya, the tropical gateway to China. Here the men were judged on their style, performance and star quality as they modeled menswear and sportswear. The evening also offered the best in Chinese entertainment, highlighting its wonderful history and culture, along with special features on the beautiful city of Sanya.

Let’s take a look back at some of the highlights of Mr World 2007.

Welcome Dinner

Beach Fun

Tai Chi Lessons

Mountain Challenge

Kung Fu Lessons

Cooking Challenge

Sports Challenge

Fashion Show

Raft Building Challenge

Quad Biking

Talent Show

Mr World 2007 Final

MR WORLD HISTORY

First held in 1996, Tom Nuyens of Belgium was elected the first ever Mr World when the original competition was held in Istanbul, Turkey. With fifty countries competing, it was the largest male event of its kind and has since gone from strength to strength. Tom himself has gone on to a successful career in modelling, as well as presenting, appearing as co-host of the Mr World 2007 broadcast. He was also a special guest judge at the Mr World 2010 Final.

The second Mr World event took place in Troia, Portugal, in 1998. Sandro Finoglio Speranza took the title and has since become a familiar face on popular soap operas in Mexico and his native Venezuela, and has been recruited for TV work in the United States, as well as appearing on the catwalk for top international designers.

Edinburgh, Scotland was the setting for the third Mr World competition in 2000, and Ignacio Kliche of Uruguay was the winner. Ignacio was able to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional basketball player in his home country. He is also busy juggling working as a part time model and TV commitments where he works as a ‘conductor de television’ and a news anchor in the NBA sports channel.

Brazil’s Gustavo Gianetti was a worthy winner of the title when the 2003 Mr World event came to a close in London. He is now working as a top model and has appeared in many TV programmes including “Britain’s Next Top Model” where he mentored the contestants in an acting workshop when they flew to Brazil for one of their challenges.

Juan Garcia Postigo was working as a sommelier in his home town of Malaga in Spain before he went on to take the accolade of “The World’s Most Desirable Man” in 2007. Held in Sanya, China, Juan shone throughout the competition winning and at the forefront in a number of physically demanding feats. Events included a cocktail mixing challenge, a mountain trail race, tai chi training and a beach assault course, all set in a picturesque tropical paradise.

After winning Mr World, Juan moved to the capital city, Madrid, where he now plays the lead character in a daily TV drama. He also has fashion and modelling commitments in Tokyo and New York as well as his native Spain, and recently appeared on the Spanish version of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. In 2009 Juan launched his own wine brand: JG, 2006 harvest.