Malaysian-born Miss United Nations Ambassador of Canada, Sonia Sharma, 24, takes pride in overcoming the odds to win the title.

At only 161.3cm tall, she carved history by beating contestants from 80 other countries to prove that the height factor was not the main criteria to become a beauty queen.

"It still bothers me till today that I almost gave up going through this experience just because of a few negative comments posted online.

"I stand at 161.3cm tall and that according to a few people meant that I should not enter the pageant, as they do not know of any pageant winner who is short," she said when met at her grandmother's home in Tanjong Bungah here Sunday.

Despite having resided in Canada as a permanent resident with her mother, freelance social worker Gita Sharma, 50, since aged 13, Sonia said Malaysia was always in her thoughts as she had many family members in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

"Even though I am in Canada, I will always love Malaysia as this is where I was born and I have a grandmother here whom I am very close with," said Sonia, who could still converse in Malay.

Sonia, who is an only child, said she planned to set up a NGO to focus on women such as in education.

Meanwhile, her grandmother, Shakuntla Devi Sharma, 71, said she was very proud and happy of the former's success at the international arena.

"Sonia is my most beloved granddaughter. She lost her father at aged 14 months and although she lives in Canada, I will definitely share her achievements with friends and neighbours," she added.