Wenanita Angang (born 8 May 1996) is a Malaysian data scientist, advocate of hippotherapy for autistic children, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World Malaysia 2022. She was born and raised in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, and is of mixed Dusun Tatana and Murut descent.
Prior to becoming Miss World Malaysia 2022, one of her previous major achievements included being crowned as Miss Planet Malaysia in 2016 and placed as first runner-up in Batumi, Georgia. In 2018, she won the title of Unduk Ngadau Kuala Penyu in her hometown, Sabah, Malaysia. She went on to represent Malaysia at the international stage again through Miss Tourism and Culture Universe 2019, where she finished as second runner-up. As she has won the title of Miss World Malaysia 2022, she owns the right to represent her country at the 71st edition of Miss World.
Pageantry
Busak Mosongon 2016
Wenanita Angang's debut into the pageant industry began when she participated in Busak Mosongon 2016. Busak Mosongon, loosely translated to mean Beautiful Flower, is a beauty contest held during the Odou Bakanjar festival, celebrated by the Tatana community in Sabah, where participants are judged by their portrayal of Tatana’s ancient and disappearing customs and practices. Here, she placed as first runner-up in her first pageant.
Miss Sabah Model of the Year 2016
She went on to participate in Miss Sabah Model of the Year 2016, where she eventually won the title after having competed against 13 other finalists. The contest was held in Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa on the 4th of June 2016. The contest was established in 2011 for Sabahan women to showcase their talent in modelling as well as pageantry.
Miss Planet International 2016
Also at the young age of 20, she won Miss Planet Malaysia. At the Miss Planet International 2016 competition held in Batumi, Georgia, she placed second and received the 'Best in National Costume' subsidiary award.
Unduk Ngadau 2018
In May of 2018, during the Harvest Festival, Kaamatan, held annually in the state of Sabah, she was crowned as Unduk Ngadau for the district of Kuala Penyu, where Inanam representative, Hosiani James Jaimis, won the state level competition.
Miss Tourism and Culture Universe 2019
After a year away from the pageant scene, she returned and represented Malaysia at the Miss Tourism and Culture Universe 2019 held in Myanmar. On the 31st of August 2019, she was announced as the 2nd runner-up.
Miss World Malaysia 2022
On the 27th of August 2022, she competed against 14 other contestants, winning Miss World Malaysia 2022. She succeeded her predecessor, Dr. Lavanya Sivaji from Selangor. She became the fifth titleholder from her state to win the title of Miss World Malaysia within the period of seven years, following the recent victory of Brynn Zalina Lovett in 2015.
In the final 'Question and Answer' portion, she was asked by the host, "What is the most inconvenient truth about climate change?", to which she replied:
During the pageant, she was in the Top 8 for the Beauty with a Purpose award. Runners-up were Evelyn Ting of Sarawak and Anya Kimberly Kow, also from Sabah. She will represent Malaysia at Miss World 2023.