Meet Reigning Mr World
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
What does it take to be ``the world’s most desirable man?'’ A Spanish sommelier certainly met the requirements to beat 55 other charming men to win the 2007 Mr World title.
Juan Garcia was 25 when he won the last edition of the event held in China. He had to train hard to enter the competition, including having to abstain from alcohol for three months ― which wasn’t easy for a wine expert. But nevertheless the trophy meant something big for his career as a model at the time.
``I knew that winning this title was what I have been working toward for many years and so I had to focus all my efforts on achieving that goal,’’ he said in a statement.
As a sommelier he had to pass a rigorous examination, the mark of excellence in the appreciation and serving of wine. But he has only begun his long journey as an aficionado of the drink.
``I love the art of wine, the culture and customs that surround it on its journey from the vine to the glass,’’ he said. ``To me, if you are going to do something, you should enjoy it in the best way possible. That includes how you pour, drink and savor a glass of fine wine as much as anything else. As with many things in life, a large part of the enjoyment is the experience.’’
A native of Malaga in southeastern Spain, he grew up by the beachfront town with his father and two older sisters, before relocating to Madrid. He modeled extensively in his home country and across Europe, including runway and photographic assignments for major fashion houses such as Hugo Boss.
In recent years his work as a TV presenter took him to far sides of the globe, including Puerto Rico, and the traveling helped polish his language skills. In addition to Spanish, he speaks Italian and English.
When not holding a wine glass or posing for the camera, Garcia enjoys outdoor recreations such as fishing, football and water skiing. He also spends a lot of time at the gym and kitchen. ``I love to cook. It is an art and very creative.’’
Winning the 2007 title certainly was not easy. The competition was held over three weeks on the tropical island of Sanya. Contestants engaged in extreme sports activities, including running 2 kilometers up a mountain in the rainforest; designing, building and launching a raft; taking Tai Chi lessons and performing Kung Fu in front of Shaolin monks.