82-Year-Old Italian Woman Crowned World's Oldest Competitive Pole Dancer

Idanna Abignente, an 82-year-old from Pino Torinese, Italy, has been recognized as the world's oldest competitive pole dancer, according to Italy's FQ Magazine. She discovered pole dancing about 12 years ago after her son's friend opened a studio in Turin. What began as a fitness challenge evolved into a passion, a competitive career, and social media stardom, with her Instagram account boasting over 33,000 followers and a June 4 post attracting more than a million views. Abignente trains two or three times a week, intensifying her workouts before competitions. At the most recent championships, she was the only athlete in her age division, joking, "I always win because there aren't any other competitors over 80." She has competed in more than 70 categories, and the oldest rival she has faced was a 74-year-old American woman. Abignente emphasizes that competitive pole dancing is a serious discipline requiring strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance, stating, "It's a complete sport, but also a very demanding one." She credits a lifetime of staying active for her fitness and has no plans to stop. Her message extends beyond Italy: "Not everyone has to do pole dance, but everyone can stay active."