Pole position

Dancers of China's National Pole Dancing Team perform in "Fairies on the Pole," the world's first pole dance drama, in Tianjin, North China, May 17, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

"For people who are 30, 40, 50, maybe it's been a long time since somebody told them they're sexy or they're pretty," he says, "so you put yourself on a pole and you feel that way."

Unknown to many, in the city of Chengdu is a pole dancing enthusiast even older than Sun. Huang Xianfu, 67, discovered pole dancing on TV last October and has since been practicing four to five hours a day on a pole in his neighborhood.

"I want to make myself stronger by pole dancing," Huang, a grandfather of two who suffers from neck arthritis and an injured right kneecap, says. "Movements on the pole have helped energy circulate in my body My neck is also better and I can bend my right leg."

A former farmer and restaurant owner who now depends on his cab driver son for financial support, Huang has no money for pole dancing lessons. So he relies on memory to repeat the routines he has seen on TV.

His biggest dream is to appear on Star Way, a popular talent show on Chinese TV, as well as perform on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, the mainland's most-watched television show each year. Huang says he is not looking for fame but merely wants to "show people how enterprising an old man can be".

Unlike Sun, he hasn't had any criticism of his hobby. His wife Fan Xiufang, 60, says Huang's family and friends are proud of his talent on the pole.

Last August, Sun competed in the 6th China Pole Dance Championships held in Beijing. Because of the unprecedented participation of someone her age, the organizers decided to debut a category for seniors, where Sun went unchallenged and took home the gold.

This year, who knows if Huang might decide to give Sun some competition. Life after retirement can throw up some surprises.

Huang Zhiling in Chengdu contributed to the story.

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