80-year-old Miss Universe entrant inspires seniors to pursue dreams

An 80-year-old South Korean Miss Universe contestant has showed senior citizens a new way to pursue their dreams and embrace a colorful way of living in their later years, giving new hope and a new lease of life to the increasingly aging population.

In a groundbreaking move, the Miss Universe competition has shattered its age restrictions and focus on superficial beauty, opening the door for the unprecedented entrant, Choi Soon-hwa.

Beauty knows no age. That's the message at this year's Miss Universe competition, which features the event's oldest-ever competitor.

"After seeing that the Miss Universe competition has no age limit, I said I am participating in this. Then my son said, 'Mom, are you going that far? Okay, mom, go for it if you want.' So, I sent them photos yesterday, and then they said, 'Our mother is amazing, our grandmother is great.' So, I feel very happy," said Choi Soon-hwa.

Long criticized for being out of step with the times, Miss Universe organizers lifted many restrictions on age, marriage, and motherhood as of this year.

"Since many restrictions such as the age limit have been lifted, as of this year, more participants can enter the competition, and more standards for women's beauty now have been applied," said Kim Sung-shin, a Miss Universe contestant.

Promoter Yang Sun-mook, also CEO of DQ Communications, has been working with pageant organizers in South Korea to ensure the event represents the country's rapidly aging society.

"[South] Korea is having a very fashionable moment with old age. You see it in advertisements, on TV shows, fashion shows and even in international beauty competitions," Yang said.

As a mother and grandmother who is now pursuing her modeling career and who recently ran as a candidate for the National Assembly, Choi, with her action, has given a message to other seniors -- follow your dreams.

"With your talent, go to the place where you can find confidence, go outside home to anywhere as you like to participate in social activities, so that the senior society can be more active," Choi said.

80-year-old Miss Universe entrant inspires seniors to pursue dreams

A mainland delegation of 40 students and teachers, including table tennis superstar Ma Long, received a warm welcome at Taiwan University on Tuesday during their nine-day visit to the island.

Fans of Ma gathered at the university gate early in the morning to wait for the delegation's arrival. They erupted in cheers when Ma appeared, chanting, "Captain Long, we love you." Six-time Olympic champion Ma Long has served as the captain of the Chinese national table tennis men's team since 2014.

"I am very excited. I thought I was going to be late, and my heart was racing with anxiety," said a fan who skipped work to welcome Ma.

After the excitement of Ma's arrival, teachers and students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait held a symposium, with President of the Taiwan University Chen Wen-chang and Head of the mainland delegation Qiu Yong delivering speeches and exchanging gifts.

Invited by the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, the delegation, consisting of 40 mainland students and teachers, arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Nov 27.

The mainland students and teachers are from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Normal University and Beijing Sport University.

Olympic shooting gold medalist Yang Qian from Tsinghua University is also in the delegation.

This is the second such visit planned by the foundation. In 2023, faculty members and students from five mainland universities were warmly received across Taiwan, positively impacting cross-Strait relations.

In 2023 and 2024, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, also led youth groups from Taiwan on visits to the mainland.

China's table tennis icon Ma Long welcomed by excited crowds in Taiwan