Pole dancers from all over Russia – St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Petrozavodsk and of course Moscow – competed for one night to find out who really is the best of the best.

Contestants danced their way through the preliminary rounds toward the awards ceremony, with ten gaining access to the grand finals. There will be two more events in Russia – in Vladivostok and St. Petersburg, that will add another twenty participants to the finals.

St. Petersburg’s Yulia Irinina took the first prize, Moscow’s Viorika Vencheto and St. Petersburg’s Svetlana Domanova sharing the second spot. Another girl from St. Petersburg – Snezhana Zakharova – came third.

More sporty than ever

Apart from uncovering Russia's best pole dancers, the championship's organisers – the National Pole Dancing Federation – say the event's aim was to overcome stereotypes.

They claim the championship clearly showed that pole dancing is a serious sporting activity, which develops both the body and the character.

Seeing the graceful contestants circle around the poles, one appreciated the physical training which went into their performance.

Pole dancing is clearly stepping out of strip bars and gentlemen's clubs, into everyday life. Combining unique movements with powerful gymnastic elements, today pole dancing is an art, often used in cabaret and stage acts in a non-erotic environment.

It's also become a popular fitness activity and a favourite pastime around the world, especially in the U.S., parts of Europe and Australia.

Pole dancing is also enjoying a true second coming in Russia – not as an erotic performance, but as a demanding sport. It has still, however, retained its sensual power.