Mister Continental World 2026: Unwana Essien takes 3rd runner-up

Nigeria’s Unwana Sambo Essien finished third runner-up at Mister Continental World 2026 in Ayutthaya, Thailand, on Friday, 9 October, and collected two special awards on the way: the King of Kings title and Best National Costume, according to Leadership and Naija TV.

He made the final five of the men’s contest, which was won by India’s Karnajit Ningthoujam. Thailand’s delegate was first runner-up, France’s second runner-up, and the Philippines’ Glendon Gonzales fourth runner-up, Naija TV reported.

His result landed on the same night his Nigerian counterpart, Iruomachukwu Oma Osele, was crowned the first Miss Continental World. Between them, the two delegates brought home the women’s crown, a top-five men’s finish and both national costume awards.

What awards did Unwana Essien win at Mister Continental World?

Unwana Essien won the King of Kings title and the men’s Best National Costume award before the final placements were announced, Leadership and Naija TV reported. Naija TV described King of Kings as one of the contest’s top special titles, given to the standout male delegate of the edition.

His Instagram bio, @king_unwana_sambo, now also lists him as “Mister Continental World Africa”. When GistMatrix checked the page at about 11:15pm WAT on Saturday, 10 October, it had about 1,400 followers.

Who is Unwana Essien?

Unwana Essien is a Nigerian model, actor and musician who represented the country as Mister EliteGlam Nigeria 2025/2026, the same national pageant that sent Osele to Thailand. The EliteGlam Pageant called him “the man who carried our flag” in a message on Instagram after the final, thanking him for “representing Nigeria and EliteGlam with pride”.

He competed at the Continental World Organization’s first world finals, which its July press release scheduled for 4 to 10 October in Bangkok and Ayutthaya.

How did Nigeria do at the Continental World finals?

Nigeria had a strong night at the first Miss and Mister Continental World finals:

• Oma Osele: Miss Continental World 2026, plus Queen of Africa, Best National Costume and Best Physique, Enugu Online TV reported.
• Unwana Essien: third runner-up at Mister Continental World 2026, plus King of Kings and Best National Costume.

The pageants are run by the Bangkok-based Continental World Organization, which held its first world finals this year. Its July press release named Emmanuel Oku as the licence holder for Miss and Mister Continental World in Nigeria.

What happens next

As of 11:15pm WAT on Saturday, 10 October, neither Essien nor EliteGlam had announced when the Nigerian delegates will return home or plans for a joint homecoming. GistMatrix will update this story when they do.

FAQ

Who won Mister Continental World 2026?
India’s Karnajit Ningthoujam won Mister Continental World 2026 in Thailand. Nigeria’s Unwana Essien was third runner-up.

What awards did Unwana Essien win?
The King of Kings title and Best National Costume (men’s), according to Leadership and Naija TV.

Who won Miss Continental World 2026?
Nigeria’s Iruomachukwu Oma Osele, at the pageant’s first edition.

Send Unwana your congratulations in the comments.

Read next: Miss Continental World 2026: Nigeria’s Oma Osele takes first crown · Mister Global 2026: Nigeria’s Bethel Mbamara finishes first runner-up