82-Year-Old Italian Named World’s Oldest Competitive Pole Dancer

Idanna Abignente, an 82-year-old resident of Pino Torinese, Italy, has been recognized by Italy’s FQ Magazine as the world’s oldest competitive pole dancer, nypost.com reported. She began the sport about 12 years ago after her son’s friend opened a studio in Turin. Abignente trains two or three times a week and increases the frequency ahead of events.

At her most recent championships she was the sole entrant in her age division. She has competed in more than 70 categories and faced an American rival aged 74, the oldest opponent she has encountered. “I don’t want the number to decide for me,” Abignente said.

“I’ll turn 83 in September. ” She added that she always wins her division “because there aren’t any other competitors over 80” and has yet to meet anyone older than that age on the circuit. Abignente maintains an Instagram account with more than 33,000 followers; one post from June 4 drew over one million views.

Abignente credited a lifetime of physical activity for her continued participation. “I’ve always kept moving,” she said.