Zara tackles new hurdle

Miss World Australia contestant Zara Keca Picture Marco De Luca

Zara Keca is used to out-performing her competitors on the athletics track, but now she’s focused on success at the Miss World Australia National final later this week.

The pageant queen will compete against 28 contestants for the Miss World Australia crown this Friday in Melbourne.

The record-breaking hurdler and long jumper admits she was shocked when she was one of 15 young women chosen as finalists in the preliminary event for Miss World Victoria.

“I certainly didn’t expect it,” she said.

The Hillside teenager and former Lakeview Senior College student was crowned Miss Victoria at the final last month.

The 18-year-old said the competition was a great way to raise money for Variety Australia, a charity that helps sick children or children with special needs that has provided invaluable support for her 22-year-old sister, Natalie.

Zara has set herself some lofty goals after the finals too, when she gears up to represent Australia at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The Miss World Organisation founded the Beauty with a Purpose movement more than 35 years ago which focuses on encouraging women around the world to live a compassionate and humanitarian life.