Croydon contestant Abbey Laveniya has made an incredible start to her Miss England journey after winning the Miss England Sportsround — just days after entering the competition!
Watch the sportsround film here ;
The 26-year-old auditor, model and classically trained dancer from Croydon only entered Miss England last week, but after an impressive performance at the Sportsround on Sunday 4th October in Leicester, Abbey was named Miss England Sportswoman 2026. Abbey was presented with her certificate from the High Sheriff of Leicestershire Mel v Thomas QPM who organised the decider round in the Miss England contest traitor style where warm up PT Rob Hughes from Hughes Fitness training tapped each contestant on the back when they qualified .
Her victory means she has now been fast-tracked directly into the Top 12 of the Miss England National Final, taking place at Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026.
It’s been a whirlwind start for the Croydon contestant, who is now one step closer to the Miss England crown which leads to Miss World!
MEET ABBEY LAVENIYA
Age: 26
From: Croydon
Height: 5ft 7
Occupation: Auditor in FS Banking / Model / Dancer
Alongside her professional career in banking and modelling, Abbey is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer, and her passion for dance has already taken her to some remarkable venues.
Abbey has performed at Westminster Abbey in the presence of the late Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Service, as well as at Wembley Stadium for the UK Welcomes Modi event.
Speaking about her love of dance, Abbey said:
“Little me, starting Bharatanatyam, never imagined I’d one day be dancing on stages quite like those!”
Abbey was also President of one of King’s College London’s largest student-led productions, bringing together more than 250 dancers to perform at a West End theatre.
The production raised an impressive £10,000 for three charities — Evelina Children’s Hospital, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Women on Wings.
FROM NEWCOMER TO MISS ENGLAND TOP 12!
What makes Abbey’s achievement particularly impressive is how quickly her Miss England journey has taken off.
Having only entered the competition last week, Abbey headed to Leicester to take part in the Sportsround and walked away with the title of Miss England Sportswoman 2026 and a coveted fast-track place in the national Top 12.
The Miss England competition features a series of qualifying and fast-track rounds designed to give contestants the opportunity to showcase their talents, fitness, charitable work, confidence, personality and achievements.
Abbey will now prepare to compete amongst the Top 12 at the Miss England National Final at Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026.
The eventual winner will have the opportunity to represent England at Miss World in Tanzania in May 2027.
From entering Miss England to securing a place in the national Top 12 in a matter of days, it has certainly been an unforgettable start for Croydon’s Abbey Laveniya.
Congratulations Abbey — Miss England Sportswoman 2026!
