Ingrid Marie Rivera beat 29 pageant rivals to become the 2008 Miss Universe contestant despite being sabotaged.

Throughout the competition, Rivera remained composed onstage, in front of the jury, but once backstage she had to apply ice bags to her face and body, which swelled and broke out in hives twice.

"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves. But the second time, we knew it couldn't have been a coincidence," said pageant representative Harold Rosario, according to the Associated Press.

Her clothing and make-up later tested positive for pepper spray.

The pageant organizers are hoping to catch the person responsible for the prank without police interfering.

"I am going to investigate this until the final consequences. When we have everything, I will announce who the person is because someone with these instincts is capable of anything," said Megali Febles, director of the Miss Puerto Rico Universe Pageant. He also added that the person behind the prank was “from inside.”

They also acknowledged the theft of Ms Rivera’s bag, containing her dress, make-up and credit cards.

Ms. Rivera said she had considered living the contest: "At one point I said, 'Am I a masochist?' But I said: 'I am with God and this is my goal, regardless of the results.'"

Moreover, the last day of the competition was postponed on Thursday, after receiving a bomb threat, said Febles. The authorities found no trace of any explosive when searching the area with the dogs

Ms Rivera also won Miss World Caribbean in 2005 and she was the favorite to win the Puerto Rican pageant this year, according to local media sources. On the other hand, she had been a target of controversy from the start of competition since her rivals complained that she was too experienced and should be disqualified.

After winning the contest, she was accused of buying the crown, according to the Puerto Rico’s El Nuevo Dia Newspaper.