From a competition for the best pole dancers in Singapore to one which has expanded to include the cream of the crop in the region, the Miss Pole Dance contest is making its mark in Asia.
This year, Miss Pole Dance Southeast Asia is happening on Apr 28, 2012 at mega-club Avalon and will feature eight finalists from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines and Japan.
In case you’re wondering why Japan is included in a regional contest, the organiser, Bobbi Pole Studio, received so many requests from the country that they included two of the best entrants.
For those who still think pole dancing can’t really be considered a sport or anything strenuous, consider this: many of the competitors have a background in sports or dance like ballet or jazz.
Also, have you seen videos of them in action?
Check out the winning routine of Miss Pole Dance Australia 2012, Cleo, who’s going to be a judge at this Saturday’s competition, along with Bobbi (of Bobbi’s Pole Studio, of course) and entertainer Hossan Leong. It takes a lot of training to be able to do those tricks.
Watch out for the routines from two of the hotly anticipated acts -- Naoko Enomoto who took the Miss Pole Dance Singapore championship in 2010 and was a finalist in the Miss Pole Dance International 2010 (we interviewed her last year here), and Ana Marie Garbo (pictured left) who also made it to the finals in the international battle.
We had a short chat with Ms Garbo, who picked up pole dancing after giving birth to her daughter in 2007.
The Filipina expects it to be a tough competition this year, and has been training twice a week, on top of working at night. She credits pole dancing with teaching her self-discipline. “If you have that, you’ll be golden and can do things right,” says the pint-sized woman.
Miss Pole Dance South East Asia
Date: April 28, 2012
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Avalon, South Crystal Pavillion, Marina Bay Sands.
Tickets are from $32 to $50 and you can get them at Bobbi’s Pole Studio #02-01, 222 Queen Street or https://online.safra.sg/safraonline/events/eve_poledance_checkin.asp.
Log on to Bobbi's Pole Studio for more information.