Things turn really ugly: Protests and cheating claims at Mr Ugly contest

Riots broke out amid claims of cheating after pageant judges crowned the latest winner of Zimbabwe’s fourth annual Mister Ugly contest. Things turned, well, ugly, when 42-year-old Mison Sere was chosen over William Masvinu, who had held the title since 2012. Judges were particularly revolted by Mr Sere’s numerous missing front teeth and wide range of grotesque facial expressions. But Mr Masvinu and his supporters mobbed the judges after hearing their decision, claiming that Sere was too handsome to win and his ugliness wasn’t natural since it was based on missing teeth.

I am naturally ugly. He is not. He is ugly only when he opens his mouth

Defeated champ William Masvinu

The contest, which involved three rounds of modelling, with individual and group struts down a catwalk of a Harare nightclub, is held to remove the sigma of ugliness. But Mr Sere’s opponents complained he was chosen despite rules stating disabilities or enhancements would not be accepted in the competition which should focus on “natural ugliness.” No one was hurt but the judges were pushed and shoved and abused in the melee. Mr Sere, who is out of work, dismissed the critics as just “sore losers” as he pocketed the $500 in winnings. "Sere made tremendous effort to enhance his ugliness by pulling facial stunts,“ said judge Abigail Mataranyika, a university student. "Masvinu thought he is so ugly that he didn’t need to try hard. That cost him the crown.”

They should just accept that I am uglier than them. I hope to get a TV contract. I already moved around schools performing and showcasing my ugliness so this is a chance to make it on TV.

Mison Sere

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