is a beauty pageant titleholder who represented Japan in Miss World 2007 in China. She was also one of the finalists of the 2008 edition of Miss Universe Japan. She launched her own yoga company Sunroom Yoga in 2011. Early life Born and raised in Yoyogi, Tokyo, Watanabe graduated from Kanto International Senior High School in 2001 and speaks fluent English. From 2004 until 2007 she worked as a fitness instructor at a Central Fitness Club at Tennozu Isle, Tokyo, and held an ambition to take lessons in Hong Kong to become an Asian action actress. She acted as a supervising director on former kickboxing legend and four-time K-1 World Champion Ernesto Hoost's DVD 'Perfect Combat Part.1.” Miss World Japan 2007 Watanabe was selected as the representative of Japan for Miss World 2007 and was assisted in her preparations for the competition by French fashion and beauty expert Ines Ligron and Miss Universe Japan 2003, Miyako Miyazaki. She lived with the contestants from around the world for one month during November and appeared at the 57th Miss World pageant held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre, Sanya, People's Republic of China on December 1, 2007. The 106 contestants recorded the official torch relay anthem "Light the Passion, Share the Dream" for the 2008 Olympic Games as a major cooperation between the Beijing Olympic Committee and Miss World. The song had its first broadcast to a global audience at the 57th Miss World final. In addition, to coincide with World AIDS Day, the pageant presented a special tribute to the fight against AIDS, with a televised speech from former South African President Nelson Mandela and the presence of his daughter and grandson, along with traditional dancers from South Africa who joined the contestants in a special song. Watanabe, at the time using her birth-name of Rui Watanabe, placed in the Top 21 of the Miss World Beach Beauty section of the competition, on November 10, and the Top 16 of Miss World Sports on November 14. Miss Universe Japan 2008 In 2008, Watanabe competed with 4000 entrants for the title of Miss Universe Japan, placing in the top ten at the final on April 3 held at Tokyo International Forum. Watanabe then became the face and image of Guthy-Renker skin care and fitness products, including for a DVD of Colombian dance fitness program Zumba, on TV and web media. On September