With fireworks still sparkling in the backdrop of the stage that was designed like a medieval palace, admirers who had been viewing the pageant from the open, sprawling lawns of Raj Mahal Palace rushed to lift the victor. In fact, organisers panicked and screamed warnings that the whole structure would come crumbling down under their weight.

But, there was a tinge of disappointment: India's Diwakar had been eliminated in the semi-finals. Indeed, the country's men have still to make a mark internationally like its women have done regularly.

The first runner-up title went to Hasan Yanojelve of Turkey, who also won the sub-contest for Mr Congenial. Boh Tzarks of Germany was the second runner-up.

The first award of the evening, for the best innational costume, was awarded to Carlos Alberto of Brazil by Hindi film star Manisha Koirala. Unfortunately for Carlos, he was eliminated from the contest in this round itself.

The jury comprised of an array of glitterati: Michelle Yeoh, the Bond Girl in Tomorrow Never Dies; top Hindi film actresses Manisha Koirala and Rekha; president of Miss and Mr Intercontinental, Detlef Tursies; founder president of Mrs International, Barbara Sue Holland from USA; world billiards champion Mike Russel; Rea Yiordamlis, High Commissioner of Republic of Cyprus, and Brigadier Bhavani Singh of the former royal family of Jaipur.

The Mr International contest was the first of its kind to be organised in this country, with 23 participants from different countries.

One hopes it makes the organisers more savvy. For they had taken care the programme was not telecast live for the rest of the world. Moreover, the spectators sitting on the flanks went scurrying for cover as the show began, with 30,000-watt speakersexploding to life. These adjusted themselves to a normal sound level -- gradually.

Then came sudden moments of silence, as the mike worn by the compere, Miss Canada India Geeta Bali, repeatedly went off leaving people in suspense. But what took the cake was a goof up which must have given some tense moments to some of the contestants in the semi-finals.

As Bali announced the names of the semi-finalists, she wound up the round after calling ten contestants to the stage. They were supposed to be 12, as she had earlier declared. A rumble of murmur rose from the spectators, the organisers gesticulated wildly, and Bali stopped.

``Yes? What! ... oh-o!!,'' she exclaimed and counted, ``one, two, three ... six and four, ten. Oops.''

She then said,``The 12th contestant ... .'' Protests again. ``It is not my fault,'' Bali said indignantly, ``This is what is written here.''

``Let me help you out,'' said Hemant Trivedi, fashion designer and stage director who choreographed the show. He called Mr USA on to thestage as the 11th semi-finalist, and the event continued thereafter.