American Pole Fitness Championships 2010 Post Coverage

November 24, 2010

The 1st annual American Pole Fitness Championships™, October 23, 2010 was a success! Thepoledancingshop.com supplied the mandatory routine attires, Lil Mynx sponsored the championships’ poles and gifted all the titled/placed competitors individual poles, Mighty Grip for the gloves and pole gripping solution powder, It would also be Lil Mynx’s first pole fitness competition to sponsor. The winners will also grace the covers of the sponsoring magazine; Pole Spin in January 2011. Congratulations to the winners and competitors. They were all winners just by being part of the historical event and will never be forgotten. The event was a FIRST IN AMERICAN HISTORY! The champions are as follows: American Pole Fitness Champions™, Women’s Division -Marlo, Men’s Division -Steven “Princeton” Retchless.

2nd Runner ups Zoraya Judd and David C. owen.

3rd runner ups Kyra Johannesen and Badazz.

Pole Artist of the Year™, Amber Richard.

Pole Athlete of the Year™, Zoraya Judd.

American Pole Fitness Championships 2010 Video Highlight (HQ) from APFA TV.

This was an exciting time for Pole Fitness enthusiasts. The 1st annual American Pole Fitness Championships™ hosted a unique group of competitors who came from all walks of life. Comedian Mona Cooper and Olympic Gold Medalist Maurice Greene co-hosted the gala while Guinness World Record holder “Flag Man” Dominic Lacasse had the crowd in awe of his signature “Moon Walk” mid air. What does it take to be a competitor and challenge the best of the best in the Pole Fitness world? These people are uncompromising in their pursuit to be the best. Talent has nothing to do with how long you have been pole dancing. It has to do with a willingness to create your own style, continue to learn, find inspiration, maintain originality, show your personality and wow an audience while performing. They are performance artists and incredible athletes who are ready to put on a show. Steven “Princeton” Retchless was the crowd pleaser of the night. The crowd went wild over his performances. At the end of his freestyle he successfully performed the “Spatchcock”. Princeton has set a standard for future male competitors. This was truly a historical moment. Please join me in extending a very well deserved CONGRATULATIONS to the first ever Male Winner of the American Pole Fitness Championships, a first in American history! Marlo Fisken, known simply as “Marlo”, is the 2010 American Pole Fitness Champion, Women’s division. She is a well known personality in the pole fitness community and fitness modeling industry as well. She recently did a Nike commercial. She has a very friendly face that becomes very focused during competition time. That focus seemed to do her well as the judges gave her the first place title. Marlo had something special during her performance. She had the right combination of emotion, personality, sex appeal and classiness. She lives in the moment and gives 100% of her attention to the task at hand whatever that is at the moment. Marlo possesses a unique regal presence. She is an inspiration for many around the world and she will remain an influence in the pole fitness community forever.

Zoraya reinforces the importance of safety. “Find your comfort zone first.” She has a very supportive husband whom she gives credits for most of her success. Her husband Nic Judd is also her manager and as she likes to say, “her brain.” Zoraya Judd won both APFA trademark title “Pole Athlete of the Year™” as well as 2nd place female champion, we expect great things from her.

Amber Richard received the very distinguished APFA trademark title “Pole Artist of the Year™”. Amber was trained in classical ballet as a kid. She was accepted in the Royal Academy of Dance where she perfected her ballet technique. The Royal Academy of Dance is very structured and strict, with a strong emphasis on technique. Ballet is very elitist and she quickly learned that she would not make it as a professional ballet dancer because she doesn’t fit the stereotypical body type required for ballet. In college she started taking modern dance and enjoyed the freedom of trying something different. It was not as restrictive and has helped her to improvise and develop a sense of comfort with the way her body moves. Her ballet inspiration seemed to have won the judges and the crowd over.

David C. Owen, the 2nd place champion, Men’s division. He is not threatened by under representation and is happy to be an inspiration for all those people who feel under represented. He also hopes that one day he can find a way to break the rules of competition in his pursuit for personal expression. He says that sometimes he is offended by the standard rules like “point your toes”. It defeats the purpose of artistic expression. David says, “It is a way of expressing those emotions that can’t necessarily be expressed by words.”

Kyra Johannesen, the 3rd place champion, Women’s division, among her many talents she has a reputation for having an incredible imagination in choreography. She was the mastermind choreographer behind the PS1 MOMA performance recently given in New York. Her choreography received rave reviews.

Josiah Grant, also known as “Badazz“, took home the 3rd place medal. Badazz has one goal in mind, to push the limits of pole fitness and remain a top competitor in the world of pole fitness. He has one of a kind flexibility and creativity that has inspired people all over the world. Badazz strives for perfection and expects nothing less than the best from himself.

We would also like to thank all of the international panel of judges KT Coates, Allegra, Prana, Dominic Lacasse and the Valentino Brothers, Co-host Mona Cooper and Maurice Green, Stage Manager Emilee Wilson, the volunteers, crew & once again all the sponsors including Pole Spin Magazine, Lil Mynx for the poles, Mighty Grip for the grip solution & gloves and Thepoledancingshop.com for the competitor’s wardrobes.