Cape Town pole-dancer Chantal Cornelissen participated in the World Pole Art Championship in Italy this year – and she won gold.
Although often forgotten, pole-dancing is an incredibly difficult and admirable sport that requires great strength and control.
41-year-old Chantal entered the championship alongside four other South Africans from the Aerial Sports South African Federation, a project she founded earlier this year.
Teammates Amy Leibbrandt and Naa-ilah Jassiem took part in the amateur division, Hedwig Shackle in the elite section and Chantal in the Elite Masters 40+.
“I didn’t think I would win,” she says, although her training has made her a tough competitor.
Chantal has a background as an aerial athlete, meaning she could comfortably be suspended in the air and easily move around upside down.
Her acrobatic career began when she was nine, and she later performed in international circuses, taking her around the world.
“Because of having been in a circus I had the advantage of being upside-down,” she explains.
Also read: Appreciate local musical talent at Nederburg’s Sunset Stoep Sessions
Chantal competed in the World Pole Art Championship in the artistic division, and chose Mary Poppins as her theme after being inspired by the magical Walt Disney film.
“Think of the umbrella, the big bag and the pot plant that came out of the bag. It was a super fun experience, which I think helped me get that gold medal,” she explains.
Chantal is passionate about sharing the sport with others and using her knowledge to help other South Africans compete internationally in the future. This is something she has already started working on through her studio, which she opened in Edgemead after coming home.
She is also determined to educate people on what the sport actually is, explaining that it is frustratingly associated with strip clubs because of the kind of clothes dancers wear. This often takes away from the seriousness and difficulty of the sport.
Also read: Nambitha Ben-Mazwi wins “Actress of the Year” award
Chantal explains that along with extreme physical fitness and agility, pole-dancers also need mental and emotional stamina to be successful.
“You have bad days where everything goes wrong. You can’t get up. But usually, it’s just being able to fight through those bad days, keep training and remembering that nothing’s perfect the first time.”
Chantal credits her win to the support of her husband Marius and teammate Hedwig.
View this post on Instagram
“One of the rules that I have is that you should never be training on your own. Marius and the team have been a tremendous support throughout my journey.”
“The pole community is about empowering people and uplifting each other – literally and figuratively. I would have never been able to get that gold medal without the input and help of our community.”
Also read:
Picture: News24
