Pole Star - Malaysia Pole Championship 2011

The finals of the Pole Star - Malaysia Pole Championship 2011, organised by Viva Vertical was held at the Black Box Theatre in Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur on June 12. A total of 14 finalists - 12 ladies and 2 guys, competed in the Exotic Pole, Fit Pole, Duo Pole and Ultimate Pole categories. The competitors who came from various pole dance schools in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Klang were judged on their performances based on technical ability, artistic interpretation and presentation.

The exotic pole title was won by Amy Lim Mei Wei. The 29 year old Amy, who is a sales manager with EC Management Sdn Bhd in Petaling Jaya, said "I have been learning and practising pole dance for ten months." The fit pole crown went to Yong Ye Yee, 18, a former student of SMJK Hwang Hwa, Klang. Ye Yee said "I have been dancing since I was 14 and was the Asia Pacific Champion in the hip hop solo event held at the Shangrila Hotel in Kuala Lumpur in 2009."

Lim Xiu Yen (pic) captured three titles - one with crowd favourite Adam Tan in the ultimate pole, another in the duo category with Kitt Goh, and was also named "Most Popular Dancer" of the meet. The 28 year old Xiu Yen who was sporting a spiky Mohican style hairdo performs professionally in the Klang Valley. She started learning jazz, hip hop and Latin American dances when she was 20 and only picked up pole dancing fifteen months ago.

Adam is a 20 year old, second year Diploma in ICT student at International Inti College in Subang Jaya who has a passion for dance, gymnastics and pole acrobatics. The delighted youngster said, "I discovered my love of dance with hip hop four years ago and in 2008 was introduced to pole dancing in my local studio." At the International Pole Dance Fitness Championship 2010 held recently on 9 December in Tokyo, Adam took home a championship title in the Pole Art men's category.

The tall and slim Kitt Goh performed a flexible routine in the duo pole with Lim Xiu Yen which enthralled the spectators. Kitt, who was a former Perak state high jump champion, showed tremendous strength, stamina and agility which complemented well with Xiu Yen's flexibility and grace. Chief judge Anna Przeplasko who was impressed with the women's performance, instantly awarded a wild card for the pair to compete in the qualifiers at next year's International Pole Championship.