Dylan Palmerini of France crowned winner as India and Puerto Rico respectively become second and third runners-up 

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana 

The global male model search competition Manhunt International 2026, which held its 24th edition in Sri Lanka, concluded in a glittering event held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo on Wednesday (09) night, crowning handsome Dylan Palmerini of France as the winner. 

France marked a back-to-back victory at the prestigious male model pageant in 2025 and 2026, with having India’s Nipun Singh and Puerto Rico’s Lucas Diaz respectively becoming first and second runners-up. 

The international Executive President and Co-founder of Manhunt International, Rosko Dickinson, announced the top five finalists of the grand finale, delivering the judges’ decision to appoint Nigeria’s Samuel Ayeloja and Vietnam’s Tran Tien Dūng respectively as third and fourth runners-up. 

Amidst roaring cheers from an electrified crowd of both locals and many foreign supporters of the 32 contestants gathered at the Forum of the City of Dreams, Ishanka Pramuditha of Sri Lanka entered the top ten finalists and climbed up to the sixth position, making his fans proud in the hosting country of the 24th edition. 

The seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth positions respectively went to Leandro Mendoza of the Dominican Republic, Darío Meroño from Spain, Shin HyunKyu of Korea and Singapore’s Jonathan Yeang. 

The audience witnessed an exclusive national and cultural costume worn by each contestant prior to the much-anticipated swimwear segment by the muscular men of lean, tall figures that caught the fancy of many. 

It was notable how Indonesia’s Steffan Adji Kusumaaji won both the Digital Challenge Winner and People’s Choice Award. And Sri Lanka’s Ishanka Pramuditha won the Best Designer Award title for Haute Couture Fashion. 

The distinguished panel of judges of the male supermodel contest included President and Co-founder of Manhunt International Rosko Dickinson from Australia, Licensing Director of Manhunt International Pawina Bamrungrot from Thailand, Official Swimwear Designer Ricky Abad from the Philippines, Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2026 Nimhara Sasindi, Choreographer Lou Chin Wong, Event Director Johann Peries, Miss Ocean Vietnam 2023 Tran Thi Thu Uyen and Managing Director of Cargill’s Food and Beverage Limited Arjuna Kumarasinghe. 

The grand event also witnessed the awarding of hosting rights of the 25th edition of the Manhunt International 2027 to Vietnam to be held in Ho Chi Minh City in the presence of Manhunt Sri Lanka National Director Arjun Senanayake and Event Director Jagath de Almeida. 

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana