Joshua Benedict, from Johor, was named Mr World Malaysia 2022 in the pageant final gala at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on October 21, 2022.
The 32-year-old business owner and mental health counsellor beat out 22 other contestants to win the coveted title.
He took home cash prizes worth RM25,000 and earned the right to represent the country at the Mr World 2022 pageant in the United Kingdom scheduled next year.
When asked how he felt after winning the title, the 183cm (6 feet) tall most desirable man said, “I felt happy and shock at the same time because Mr World was a dream, finally I’m living it. Not everyone gets to live their dream, but I am blessed. I am truly thankful to be given the opportunity to represent Malaysia soon.”
Joshua has mixed parentage, with a Chinese mother and a father who is of Indian-Portuguese descent.
His advocacy is to raise public awareness about preventing abuse and stopping bullying and human trafficking.
“Nobody should be treated any lesser than how one wishes to be treated,” he said.
Chow Di Sheng from Perak was named first runner-up, while Jayson Phuah from Kuala Lumpur finished second runner-up. Arvind Kumar and Zaim Yazid, both from Selangor were placed third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Phuah was awarded the Mr Congeniality subsidiary title, one of the 10 subsidiary titles accorded at the pageant final.
With its theme of ‘Men with Dimensions’, Mr World Malaysia 2022 kickstarted in May earlier this year with an audition which saw more than 100 hopefuls signed up to be part of the most prestigious male pageant where it is organized by the Miss World Organization in the United Kingdom.
Prelude to the selection of the winners, the 23 finalists went through a few rounds of activities before the elimination which included indoor judging and stage performances, including the national costume showcase, beachwear and formal wear rounds.
The judges narrowed down the list to Top 10 finalists, with each of them given a 1-minute speech statement to conclude on their advocacy before the Top 5 finalists were selected.
The final five finalists had to go through the Q&A round with the judges who asked questions on current issues to determine the overall winner.
The judging panel this year included Universal Malaysia managing director Kim Lim, Malaysian actress and singer Diana Danielle, Beam Artistes founder Samuel Seow, GLAM Lelaki editor Muzammin and Miss World Malaysia 2022 Wenanita Angang.
Mr World Malaysia 2022 is presented by Universal Music Malaysia to unearth new talents and diversify its talent management portfolio under Celebrity360, a talent arm under the company.
Sponsors to this year’s competition were Number76, (official hair salon), Make Up Miracle (official makeup), Star Fitness (official fitness) and The Giving Bank (official CSR), among others.
Mr World Malaysia 2022 Official Results:
● Winner – Joshua Benedict, Johor
● First Runner Up – Chow Di Sheng, Perak
● Second Runner Up – Jayson Phuah, Kuala Lumpur
● Third Runner Up – Arvind Kumar, Selangor
● Fourth Runner Up – Zaim Yazid, Selangor
Subsidiary Title Winners
● Mr Star Fitness – Edison Ho, Selangor
● Mr XChef – Shafiy Mohd Hafidz, Selangor
● Mr Stylo – Issac Cheah, Penang
● Mr Popular – Darren Lam, Selangor
● Mr Energetic – Ivan Kam, Perak
● Best National Costume – Edison Ho, Selangor
● Mr Mighty Star – Edison Ho, Selangor
● Face of YU Clinic – Ivan Kam, Perak
● Mr Publicity – Effendi Ruslan, Kedah
● Mr Congeniality – Jayson Phuah, Kuala Lumpur
