In November, the world of pole sports heats up, akin to the playoffs in competitive vertical dance. This year, the Southern U.S. chapter of the Pole Sport Organization (PSO) held its regional championships in Houston, TX, and crowned a champion who defied all expectations. Greta Pontarelli, a 61-year-old businesswoman from Temecula, CA, clinched first place in the Pro Women’s Singles category, making her the oldest pole dance competitor in the United States.
The Pole Sport Organization, one of the largest competitive vertical dance organizations in America, has four chapters representing different regions of the U.S. The Southern U.S. chapter's regional championships in Houston marked the beginning of the PSO's regional tour, with the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific championships scheduled for early 2013.
Greta Pontarelli, a mother of two and former karate competitor, took her first vertical dance class at the age of 59. She aimed to improve her fitness, build muscle, and increase bone mass to combat osteoporosis. Her journey in pole sports has been nothing short of remarkable. Before winning the Southern championships, Greta participated in the popular athletic competition and television show "Ninja Warrior," where she reached the semi-finals. In the summer of 2012, she secured second place in both the Pacific Masters Artistic Competition and the Central Masters Competition. These achievements propelled her to her first-place title in the Southern Competition.
Greta Pontarelli is not just a champion; she is also an advocate for the benefits of pole fitness. "Pole fitness can be very empowering for women as they will gain physical and mental strength," said Pontarelli. "I hope to inspire baby boomers and others to exercise, eat wholesome foods, and continually strive to become the best they can be. My message is to never give up…keep challenging yourself. There is no better time to live the life you would love to live than now."
The popularity of pole sports has surged in recent years. The Pole Sport Organization has seen a significant increase in contestants and overall size within the last five years. This growth reflects a broader acceptance and respect for the sport and the dedication of its athletes. As vertical dance continues to gain recognition, it is poised to make even greater strides in the coming years.
As the sport continues to grow, there is increasing speculation about its potential inclusion in the Olympics. The dedication and skill displayed by athletes like Greta Pontarelli are helping to redefine and elevate the perception of pole sports. With more tolerance and respect for the sport, the U.S. and the world are slowly coming around to recognizing its legitimacy and athleticism.
For those interested in experiencing pole fitness firsthand, Las Vegas offers the number one vertical pole dance class, "Stripper 101." This class provides a comfortable and relaxed environment to explore one of the biggest exercise trends sweeping the nation.
Pole sports are on the rise, and with champions like Greta Pontarelli leading the way, the future looks bright for this empowering and physically demanding sport.
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South America Crowns Her 2013 Regional Vertical Dance Champion!
Well the world pole sport championships ended earlier this November, and while the fight for vertical dance to be represented in the Olympics rages on, regional competitions for next year’s world championships are now officially under way starting with South America
