The judges chose 42-year-old Sere from among a total of 36 contestants, and over fan favourite and former title holder, William Masvinu, because of his numerous missing teeth and his ability to produce grotesque facial expressions.
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But William Masvinu, a three-time Mr Ugly victor who walked off with a $100 second prize this year, accused the judges of bias. “He is not. He is ugly only when he opens his mouth”.
Pushing and shoving broke out following the announcement of the results as judges were hurled with insults but no injuries were reported.
Happily pocketing his $500 prize money, he said he was now hoping for a television contract.
Mison Sere smiles after winning the 2015 edition of the Mr Ugly competition, in Harare, Saturday, November 21.2015. “They should just accept that I am uglier than them”, he said. Kachote, just like her predecessor, was forced to cede her title after nude images were publicly leaked.
The complaints from Mr Masvinu and the other contestants may have a degree of validity. Organizers had previously announced that disabilities or enhancements would not be accepted in the competition which should focus on “natural ugliness”.
Event organiser David Machowa said he created the pageant in 2012 to celebrate “beauty in ugliness”.
But judge Abigail Mataranyika, a university student, said Mr Masvinu simply had not tried hard enough to make the most of his ugliness. “That cost him the crown”. “We should all be proud of who we are”.
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This year’s competition attracted a record number of entries since it began in 2011.
