This year’s Manhunt International candidates are – unlike some past editions where the pick for #1 was uber solid right from the get go – strong in the sense that the probable winner could come from a pool of strong contenders with at least five (5) men to choose from. You can even make that six if a host delegate goes all out for the win.

My assessment is that Nikos Antonopoulos of Greece (right photo) could duplicate the victory of his fellow Greek and namesake – Nikos Papadakis – who won last 1994. But doing that won’t be easy-peasy because there are at least three equally deserving delegates who are breathing down his neck – Matheus Goira of Brazil, Paul Luzineau of the Netherlands and Yeray Hidalgo of Spain (who is aiming for a back-to-back). To muddle up the mix further is Vietnamese entry Pham Dinh Linh who could be a big spoiler if the favors go his way. So a Top 5 is already assembled at this point.

Host delegate Daumier Corilla is not about to give up on his fight too easily, though. His strongest aces would be an engaging personality and speaking ability. Sadly, there will no longer be a Q&A in the finals according to Rosko Dickinson. You can do the math as to how far he can rise up the ladder.

Here is my predicted Honor Roll, thus:

Winner: Nikos Antonopoulos of Greece 🇬🇷
1st RU: Matheus Giora of Brazil 🇧🇷
2nd RU: Paul Luzineau of the Netherlands 🇳🇱
3rd RU: Pham Dinh Linh of Vietnam 🇻🇳
4th RU: Yeray Hidalgo of Spain 🇪🇸

And in this order for the rest of my Top 10:
Daumier Corilla of the Philippines 🇵🇭
Elvir Aljicevic of Sweden 🇸🇪
Heinrich Gabler of South Africa 🇿🇦
Yekta Baki of Turkey 🇹🇷
Jordan Pauluhn of Guam 🇬🇺

Just to complete a Top 15:
Mayur Gangwani of India 🇮🇳
Sajith Perera of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Zach Haiz of Singapore 🇸🇬
Riley Channells of Australia
Argenis Grullon of the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

Let’s see who will become the successor of Spain’s Vicent Llorach tonight.