SAO PAULO – All eyes are on Brazil’s annual Miss Bumbum pageant in Sao Paulo Friday to select the nation’s sexiest female rear end.

Fifteen curvy young ladies are competing in the grand finale being held in a Sao Paulo hotel late Friday after surviving an online eliminatory round that drew representatives of the country’s 26 states and the federal district Brasilia.

The popular contest is lifting spirits in this huge metropolis wracked by a murder spree that has claimed more than 300 lives in the past month.

The winner is to collect 5,000 reais ($2,500), while second place will receive 3,000 reais and third place 2,000 reais.

The contestants worked hard to prepare for the final, including taking surfing and jungle training courses to tighten their buns.

The pageant sparked some jealous online comments.

Said Juliana Danyelle Stuart: “They are cute, but I think that I have a better booty than some of the contestants. Next year I will take part.”

Last year, model Rosana Ferreira won the title.