The International Pole Championship (IPC) is a

competition Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, indivi ...

organised every second year by the International

Pole Dance Pole dance combines dance and acrobatics centered on a vertical pole. This performance art form takes place not only in gentleman's clubs as erotic dance, but also as a mainstream form of fitness, practiced in gyms and dedicated dance studios ...

Fitness Association ( IPDFA). It is the

brainchild Brainchild may refer to: * Brainchild (band), a local supergroup from Youngstown, Ohio, 1969–1972 * ''Brainchild'' (Society of Soul album), 1996 * ''Brainchild'' (Circle of Dust album), 1994 * Fictional comic characters in the Marvel Universe: ...

of renowned performer and instructor Ania/Anna Przeplasko (pronounced pshe plaz ko). It is the world's first international pole dance fitness championship where winners are credited solely for their

dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

skills, unique tricks,

techniques Technique or techniques may refer to: Music * The Techniques, a Jamaican rocksteady vocal group of the 1960s *Technique (band), a British female synth pop band in the 1990s * ''Technique'' (album), by New Order, 1989 * ''Techniques'' (album), by M ...

, overall performance and showmanship. To enter into IPC Winners of National Championships are granted entry to the semi-final division of the 4 phase elimination process. Undiscovered talents can submit their video entry via the IPC website. Semi-finalists are chosen by panel of experienced International Judges, and announced online via social media platforms. Fans enter into an

online voting Electronic voting (also known as e-voting) is voting that uses electronic means to either aid or take care of casting and counting ballots. Depending on the particular implementation, e-voting may use standalone ''electronic voting machines'' ( ...

system to choose their favourite semi-finalist who joins the world most proclaimed performers entered with the title of Pole Idol, together with a

sponsorship Sponsoring something (or someone) is the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. The individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor, is k ...

to the Grand

Finals Final, Finals or The Final may refer to: *Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event ** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of cont ...

The Competition

Competitors compete in two categories: Pole Fit and Pole Art. The competitor with the highest total score from both categories including deductions for mishaps wins the title of Ultimate Pole Champion. There are five divisions: men's,

women's A woman is an adult female human. Prior to adulthood, a female human is referred to as a girl (a female child or adolescent). The plural ''women'' is sometimes used in certain phrases such as "women's rights" to denote female humans regardl ...

, doubles Masters and

disabled Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, se ...

. Pole Fit focuses on the technical aspect of the routine. Competitors in this category are given higher points for difficulty and execution of their unique tricks, performed on both spinning and static poles. Pole Art focuses on the

artistic Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of wh ...

aspect of the routine. In this category, competitors are given higher points for the performance, theme interpretation

originality Originality is the aspect of created or invented works that distinguish them from replica, reproductions, clones, forgery, forgeries, or substantially derivative works. The modern idea of originality is according to some scholars tied to Romantici ...

and

choreography Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which Motion (physics), motion or Visual appearance, form or both are specified. ''Choreography'' may also refer to the design ...

of their pole dance routine. To receive the maximum number of points, performances have to be well executed with careful attention paid to the

synchronisation Synchronization is the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. For example, the conductor of an orchestra keeps the orchestra synchronized or ''in time''. Systems that operate with all parts in synchrony are said to be synchrono ...

of dance moves to the music. Movements have to be precise, clear and easy to recognise, and movements relevant to their discipline of greater difficulty and complexity will receive higher scores. Transitions between moves should be smooth and orderly. Individual confidence is recognised, with stress placed on energy, enthusiasm, and strong stage presence. Creative openings and endings to performances as well as theme and story also receive high scores. Choreography is judged on level of difficulty, use of relevant movements, transitions, and synchronisation with music.

2008 – Manila

The first International Pole Dance Fitness Championship was held in

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

. Finalists for this competition were chosen solely via video entries. Ten finalists from nine different countries competed for the title.

2009 - Tokyo

In 2009, responding to a demand by both men and women, IPC opened a category for men – the world's first. The new category received worldwide media attention, refuting the claim that pole dance is designed for the amusement of men. Competitors this year were also submitted applications via video entries. Judges from around the world from various sport and dance disciplines judged the entries and picked the finalists. Fans participated and voted online for their favorite competitor via the IPC website. The winner won the title of Pole Idol.

2010 – Tokyo

A new category for disabled performers opened in 2010, inspired by sight impaired pole dancer Marie Dunot from

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

who had entered IPC in 2009. The competition had a live audience of 3000 fans. National champions from different countries competed, as well as an open category for competitors who submitted a video entry. Fans from all over the world went to Tokyo to support their favorite competitor.http://dallaspoledancing.com/2010-international-pole-dance-fitness-championship/

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:International Pole Championship (Ipc) Erotic dance