Aponte (left) was crowned by 2011 winner Marianly Tejada (right)

Sally Aponte Tejada (20, from Salcedo) was chosen Miss World Dominican Republic 2012 and will represent the Caribbean country in the 62nd Miss World finals in Ordos, China, in August.

Aponte, who stands 177 cm tall and is a student of communications, is the replacement to the original Dominican representative, Jenny Blanco, who was disqualified for being over the age limit (Blanco was 27, and Miss World sets a limit of 24-25 years of age).

News about Blanco being rejected by the Miss World Organization made local outlets. Sally Aponte had been crowned Miss Supranational Dominican Republic 2012 last year (during the Miss World DR 2011 competition) and was supposed to attend the international competition in Poland.

However, the same day Jenny Blanco announced she would no longer compete in Miss World, Aponte resigned to her Supranational title, giving the hint she would be the new Miss World Dominican Republic.

Sally Aponte will depart the Dominican Republic to China on July 18th to participate in the month-long Miss World 2012 activities. She will try to conquer the second Miss World crown for her country (Mariasela Alvarez won the title in 1982).

Aponte was crowned Miss Supranational DR last year, but resigned to the title so she could compete in Miss World