Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sports fair, the “Arnold Classic”, put aside, at least for an hour, the duels between “strong men” and gave way to a much more sensual dispute. Dozens of people stopped around the stage of the Rio de Janeiro Convention Center in the Center to watch the professional Pan-American pole dancing tournament. Each of the 13 competitors had four minutes to perform, using two canes. The big winner was Canadian Veronica Solimano, who drew huge applause with her wild animal-inspired performance. The highest ranked Brazilian by the jury’s decision was the young promise Bianca Santhany, in fourth place.

Solimano admitted that he did not expect the victory, since he defeated two of the best pole dancing athletes in the world, Americans Pink Puma and Rebecca Star (second and third places, respectively). She wouldn’t reveal her age, but said she started pole dancing after reading an article in a Vancouver newspaper. In addition to competing professionally, she also works as an instructor.

Happiness written on Solimano’s face as he
receive the award (Photo: Wagner Meier)

– Winning was a surprise, all the competitors were very good, very experienced. Any of them could win, because they made very comprehensive presentations. I started pole when I saw an article in the newspaper and got interested. It seemed like a fun physical activity. So I looked for gyms where I could train and over time I began to take this sport seriously and with dedication – said the athlete, who won the R$4,000 prize for his victory.

Competitive pole dancing is inspired by the acrobatics that Indians have performed for millennia, only on a bamboo pole. The modality requires maneuvering on a rod with a diameter smaller than that of a soda can. It’s not as simple as a nightclub dance party, as the general public thinks. The “Arnold Classic” fair tournament is organized by the Brazilian Pole Dance Federation, which has also created a code of rules, where the movements are divided by degrees of difficulty. These are the levels that separate an amateur athlete from a professional.

– The most difficult movement for me are the “falls”, because you have to have the right moment between letting go of the support and catching yourself – said the champion Veronica Solimano.

Upset by fourth place, Bianca Santhany revealed she was crying (Photo: Wagner Meier)

Brazilian pole dancing champion and great promise of this sport in Brazil, Bianca Santhany, 19, could not hold back her tears after the announcement of fourth place. After being hugged by her friends backstage, she said she hoped she had done better at the Pan American competition. At last year’s world tournament, she placed ninth.

– I’m happy, but it could have been better. I expected more from my performance. On the other hand, I am calm because I am still very young, I have a lot of things ahead of me. But I cry a lot, I can never hold back – said the young woman, wiping her tears.

Born in the community of Gardênia Azul, in the western zone of Rio, Bianca started pole dancing at the age of 17. Initially, she only worked as a receptionist in a gym, but she stood out from her first workouts. To support herself, the athlete also works as a teacher.

– I earn my money as an instructor. If I had to live like a professional athlete, I would be hungry – he said.

In the amateur Pan de Pole Dance competition, the Mexican Erika Gonzalez was the champion.

The competitors showed a lot of elasticity during the pole dance competition (Photo: Wagner Meier)