- Title: South America's pole dancing champions crowned in Buenos Aires
- Date: 11th December 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE POLE DANCER, MARIA EUGENIA MASSEI, SAYING: "The truth is that I have been working all year to be able to successfully qualify again for the international championship. In the past year, I had the chance, and I didn't want to miss it. And so I am very, very happy to have this opportunity."
- Embargoed: 26th December 2016 04:27
- Keywords: pole dancing Buenos Aires Maria Eugenia Massei Pole sport
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Reuters ID: LVA0025CFT35V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Displaying poise as they nailed their acrobatics, the top pole dancers of South America were crowned in Buenos Aires Saturday (December 10) at the South America pole dance championship.
The competition included some 250 participants from a total of 11 countries, including those in the Caribbean like the Dominican Republic. Among the championship's aims are presenting the dance as a serious and rigourous sport, rather than an underground performance associated with clubs and striptease.
Even the most casual spectator of the event in Buenos Aires would hesitate to dismiss the athletes after they displayed grace and athleticism on the pole.
The champion on the female side was a native daughter.
"The truth is that I have been working all year to be able to successfully qualify again for the international championship. In the past year, I had the chance, and I didn't want to miss it. And so I am very, very happy to have this opportunity," said Argentine pole dancer, Maria Eugenia Massei.
The jury had a total of 13 members representing various countries.
The men's champion hailed from Venezuela.
"I have been a pole dancer for four years, preparing by competing in various competitions, and I wanted to come to Argentina again. I won in 2013, and it was there again for me, come back to compete, measure up, and get the experience, and it's a great experience, to come back and compete. Because it's a great experience coming back here to compete. It's a beautiful country, the people are precious, I just love it. And well, I have to continue building my career as a pole dancer," Jose Garcia Lozada said.
The winners now go on to the world championships to be held in 2017. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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