5 Incredible Photos of 2016 Model Search Winner Mia Kang in the Dominican Republic

The two-time brand star is also a Muy Thai fighter and body positivity advocate.

Martha Zaytoun | Aug 17, 2023

Mia Kang was photographed by Justin Marquis in the Dominican Republic.

Justin Marquis/Sports Illustrated

The 2023 Swim Search is coming to a close, but you can vote here through Aug. 31 to help select this year’s winner. In light of nearing the end of another successful open casting call, we are throwing it back to the photoshoot of our 2016 model search winner, Muay Thai fighter Mia Kang. The model traveled to the Dominican Republic alongside photographer Justin Marquis in 2016 for her photoshoot.

“I can’t believe I won,” the 34-year-old said of her victory while sitting on the sand. The model was extremely excited for the chance to be featured in the issue and couldn’t reiterate her gratitude enough for the opportunity.

The body positivity advocate has been in the modeling industry since she was 13-years-old and had dreamed of being a part of the SI Swim issue since the start. “It’s always been a dream of mine to be a part of Sports Illustrated, and I can’t believe it’s actually happening thanks to you,” she said of the opportunity. “Thank you for voting for me, I really, really appreciate it.”

Kang returned to the issue in 2017 for her rookie photoshoot under the palms in Mexico, where she was photographed by Ruven Afanador.

Below are five of our favorite photos from her Swim Search photoshoot in the Dominican Republic.

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Published Aug 17, 2023

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.