See me an equal, not disabled, says first Miss Wheelchair World

23-year-old Aleksandra Chichikova, a student from Belarus, has been crowned the first ever Miss Wheelchair World.

Aleksandra won the first international beauty pageant for wheelchair users, which was held in Warsaw, Poland.

She took first prize ahead of runner-up Lebohang Monyatsi, from South Africa, and Adrianna Zawadzinska, from Poland, who came in third place.

The contest was organised by the Only One Foundation, which was set up by two disabled mothers who want to break down barriers that limit disabled people.

Aleksandra says that her life is an example of how a person can be successful, strong, beautiful and attractive regardless of how they move.

The contestants performed elaborate dance routines, some by moving their wheelchairs on their own and others with the help of assistants. They also talked about their personal experiences, including the challenges of life in a wheelchair.

Categories in the beauty pageant included Miss Individuality, Miss Smile and Miss Personality.

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