China's oldest pole dancer wows America

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CGTN

Dai Dali, 72 years old, often gets recognized in the streets of southwest China's Chengdu city.

"Aren't you the one on that show called China…"

"China's Got Talent!" she exclaims. In 2012, she became an overnight sensation for performing pole dances on the show.

Photo from Nanfang Metropolis Daily

Dai's job had nothing to do with dancing. She was a clerk at Xinhua Bookstore, and was even honored as a Chengdu Municipal Model Worker.

After retiring, she joined her peers in folk dancing and jazz. That was before she passed by a classroom for pole dancing and became deeply attracted by it.

Photo from Baidu

"Pole dancing is a sport of strength and beauty," says Dai.

Afraid of being rejected as a 65-year-old, she asked the instructor privately: "Could I dance?" The answer was quick and definite.

Photo from Baidu

The primary problem was her lack of strength. "I used to carry books and heavy things on my belly."

Unable to climb on the pole, Dai was grounded and had to practice very basic moves at first. She learned at a much slower rate than the younger classmates because of her age. "While they got the hang of it with two swings, I had to do 10." After several months of practice, she could finally hang herself on the pole.

"One minute on the pole is like working out on the ground for 45 minutes. I used to dance a lot without breaking a sweat. Yet a few moves on the pole would leave me totally drenched," says Dai with full of passion. "I just enjoy the swinging. It's amazing, like flying in midair."

CGTN Photo

Five years since she's started, Dai has won several medals in domestic dancing competitions. Moreover, she was invited to NBC's reality show "Little Big Shots: Forever Young" in the United States.

As the only Chinese person in that season of the show, she astonished the audience the moment she stepped onstage. The judges were stunned to see her swing on the pole in a purple skirt and high heels. Her moonwalks and splits won over everyone’s hearts.

Dai’s pole dancing in NBC’s reality show "Little Big Shots: Forever Young" /Photo from Nanfang Metropolis Daily

One of the judges, American music producer David Foster, joked: "I think I met my next wife." Dai replied with a sense of humor: "I'm honored. But he is a little too young for me."

Dai with Steve Harvey /Photo from Nanfang Metropolis Daily

However, many of the beautiful moves "actually hurt a lot." She finds bruises every time she gets off the pole, yet she thinks it's worth it: "Now I can lift heavy things easily, and walk really fast. It's because I work out."

As a shining example in her dancing class, her experience has inspired younger learners. She wishes to change the stereotype people have about pole dancing: "It's actually a competitive AND fitness sport. There are strict rules and disciplines for the performances and the competitions.”

CGTN Photo

"People should live with an uplifted spirit," says Dai. "Never stop chasing your dreams at any age."

The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.