Selection for the competition began in May with 50 hopefuls showing off their moves via a URL link to their performances on YouTube at the Viva Vertical website. The contest was divided into two categories, namely Exotic Pole, which stresses on artistic presentation, and Fit Pole, which emphasises technical execution.
In a showcase that comprised physical strength, grace and artistic flair, most of the contestants would begin their routine nervously to end up with a spirited finish, thanks to the encouragement of the audience.
Big supporter: Natesa striking a pose with husband Mior Arif who took care of nine-month-old Noah throughout the night. In the run-up to the contest, the contestants also kept training diaries that were posted along with updates on their personal blogs, which were also featured in the Viva Vertical website.
Through their jottings, readers were offered glimpses of how the contestants had coped with painful sprains, aching muscles and sweaty palms while preparing for the competition. A graphic detail of the extensive bruising sustained in pole dancing was also recorded in one blog entry belonging to Trinity, which is the stage name of Kerry-Ann Khoo.
Heard cheering the loudest that night was Vincent Kong, a 66-year-old retired renovation and construction consultant who had come to see his daughter, Michelle, 30, in her first pole dance competition.
Fitness queen: Curtney Wee was voted winner of the Fit Pole category. “I love art and I see pole dancing as a form of acrobatics. I am proud that Michelle has been so courageous tonight,” the doting dad said.
The night also belonged to 29-year-old Natesa Ahmad Shukri as she thanked her husband for being very supportive of her pole dancing venture. Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “I HEART LOLITA” (Natesa’s stage name), Mior Arif Iskandar, 33, came with their nine-month-old son, Noah, and 15 close friends in tow to cheer for Natesa.
The only male contestant that night, Jon Ti, 19, who won second place in the Fit Pole category also wowed the crowd with his nimble moves. Ti, who took up pole dancing in July last year, admitted that his friends had reacted with raised eyebrows initially but they had a change of perspective after watching him train.
Big supporter: Natesa striking a pose with husband Mior Arif who took care of nine-month-old Noah throughout the night. The night also produced an unexpected star in Kerry-Ann Khoo, 33, who won in the Exotic Pole category. Khoo, who was also the oldest contestant and a professional dancer, revealed that she has never taken pole dancing lessons in her life. In preparing for this competition, she had learned the technical aspects by observation and experimentation.
And if one thinks pole dancing is only confined to the petite, Sunita Chui, 19, would proudly show off that even girls with fuller curves can pole. The 169cm and 75kg PR student revealed that being a ‘big girl’ has not stopped her from taking up ballet, traditional and modern dance in her younger years.
Chiu, who took up pole dancing two months ago, opined that size and height should be no barrier to what one wants to pursue.
“Believe in yourself, do what you feel like doing and don’t worry about what people have to say,” said Chiu, who opined that preparing for the competition has worked to enhance her self confidence and personal fitness.
For more information, visit the Viva Vertical website at www.vivavertical.com or call 016-2096997
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