Strutting in seven-inch heels is no easy feat – it is a skill that takes practice.

Celina Weil, the reigning Miss Germany, is standing in front of a mirrored wall with four other young women, taking turns to balance on one leg in her mega heels.

“Above all, I want to perfect my walk here,” says Weil, who comes from a small town in southwest Germany.

The young woman’s dedication pays off when she competes for the Miss Intercontinental 2024 competition in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, becoming fourth runner-up.

Anyone who thinks that preparing for a beauty contest is just about selecting a stunning dress and mastering intricate hairstyles is in for a shock. The training programme designed by 55-year-old Rodgil Flores is more akin to a rigorous boot camp.