Miss Nevada crowned Miss USA

Newly crowned Miss USA Nia Sanchez is a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo and says women should be able to defend themselves as a way to battle the problem of campus rape. The 24-year-old Las Vegas native said bringing awareness to the issue is very important.

Sanchez said women need to take it upon themselves to learn how to defend themselves. Sanchez lived for a time in a women’s shelter at a young age with her mother and at age eight took up taekwondo to learn self-defense and build her confidence.

As an adult, she has volunteered at women’s shelters, teaching residents how to defend themselves and teaching kids about “stranger danger.” Sanchez also said she was “so proud to bring the title of Miss USA back to Nevada.”

Sanchez beat out 50 other contestants from all the states and the District of Columbia Sunday night for the title of 63rd Miss USA. Sanchez will go on to represent the U.S. at the Miss Universe competition later this year.