Namibia has welcomed home its newly crowned Miss Teen International 2026 First Runner-Up, Chantel Boeren, following her historic performance at the international pageant in India.

Boeren returned home to an emotional and colourful welcome from family, friends, schoolmates, and supporters.

Boeren's journey in India saw her advance from the Top 18 to the Top 8, Top 5, and eventually the Top 2, where she secured the First Runner-Up spot.

She also won the Top Model Award, standing out among more than 30 contestants. But for Boeren, the achievement goes beyond the title and crowns.

"I was honestly so emotional because it was my main mission to bring a title back home to my country and to my nation. And so in order for me to bring two, I was really emotional. And I also felt so blessed to be there, honestly. And I was also really excited for the new Miss Teen International, Miss Cuba. I was really excited for her and so happy for her also. Oh my goodness, okay. Honestly, my message to the moving youth is I'm so grateful for all the support you guys have given me. You guys have rallied behind me, and it has been my pillar of strength."

Boeren's mother, Frieda Ndjambula-Boeren, says her daughter carried the Namibian flag with confidence, determination and grace throughout the competition.

Miss Namibia Organisation's National Director Beaulah Boois-Beukes commended Namibians for supporting Boeren.

"I'm extremely proud of the work that Chantal put in, of the support that we got from her mother, of the support that we got from the NBC management, our director general, the crew that has been working behind the scenes, all the pictures, everything that we captured before we left, and all the preparations. It's just such an overwhelming feeling of real fulfilment for me."