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Maurits Kersten, a participant in the 2018 NK Pole Sport in the Seniors Men category, explains how he views pole competitions. "I don't just want to put something beautiful, I want to put something new. Not that I pretend to be super innovative but I do my best to show something else, something unusual. I don't care if the performance is perfect. I'd rather be innovative with small imperfections than show something perfectly ordinary."
This vision is a breath of fresh air in the land of perfectionists! "I can enjoy anything during a performance. It doesn't even have to be very difficult. The beauty can be in the music or in the originality. Or that it's put down in a really nice way. For example, I also think that someone's first helicopter can be very nice. The energy and joy, can be much more beautiful than the actual lines of the move. That's what I mean when I say something doesn't have to be perfect."
How Maurits once started pole dancing...Five years ago, he was challenged by a friend to join a class! Maurits used to do Bikram yoga, and they made the deal, " if you want to do Bikram yoga sometime, I'll go pole dancing! From that moment on, I've been addicted to this sport. Secretly, I do hate that I didn't find out about this passion until so late. If I'd known sooner, I'd have gone in a completely different direction than the programming I make a living with. By the way, that friend is all the way to the still haven't been to Bikram yoga Day away."
How come you're in the NK Pole Sport?"Actually, I was dragged into it by my former duo partner and I only competed in double games. I also think that participating in doubles is less stressful. I don't like to be in the spotlight, and I don't like the gigs. I find it particularly stressful."That's also why he does one game a year and no more. "In addition, all my vacation days go on training for the NK. That's all I have left."
Pole competition history:
- Beat Gravity Singles (2014))
- JDM Doubles (2015))
- Bodyfit Challenge cup Doubles (2015))
- NK pole dancing Doubles (2016 ))
- Mister and Misses Polegym Doubles (2016 ))
- NK pole dancing Doubles (2017))
- NK pole dancing Senior Men (2017))
"That I'm in on it every time, isso I can push myself even harder and move forward. If I wasn't performing in front of an audience, I might throw a hat at it. And I want to keep improving myself. That's why I'm in a competition anyway, and then the NK, because that's what most people come for. I always think, " Go big or go home."'I'd like to show you something new that could affect other people, even if it's not quite perfect. I know the jury can't always appreciate this. But de beauty of new creations and their potential, I find more important than a stage place. Even if there's only one person in the audience who gets inspired by what I'm showing, and wants to try it myself, I'm happy. That is precisely what I would like: to motivate others to create something new themselves and thus inspire others. That's how you light each other. I do not see the NK as a competition, but as a platform to show something unique. During an NK comes to a lot of people and the range is wide. I take the mandatory exercises and the competition element for granted."
How do you deal with nerves?"Now, about ten weeks before the NK, the stress begins. The transitions are not as smooth as I had hoped, I walk with a shoulder injury due to over-training and then the courage drops. I know the roller coaster of emotions all too well. But my own attitude towards imperfections doesn't make me feel so bad if I don't stretch all the way through it or have a flattened foot. If I think I can motivate someone else to perfect it, then I see a cheater-legged on the pole.In addition, I wish the victory to each of my male colleagues and I do not think it is a shame to lose them. I don't care if the minutes stay right before I have to freak out. I trust muscle memory and I don't see the audience at all. I pretend I want to hit someone else, and then I go for it."
How do you prepare? "I'm training with a training buddy, someone who's in the same game so we can spar over the code of points and train together. Now that's Apple Wang. In addition, every day I am working on something: fitness training or strength, flexibility or stretching, and about three times a week I practice the routine."
However others look up to him, Maurits remains modest and does not seem convinced of his own qualities as pole dancer. However, for the fourth time, he is already participating in the NK pole dancing and he is able to create a powerful choreography every time.
The tip from Maurits:
- A performance is the way to show what is possible in terms of combinations and fun things. Lunleash perfection. Believe that you can go along with your level and set up something beautiful. Dare to think outside of the box!
Do you recognize yourself in the story of Maurits, or have you been inspired? Leave a message for him and come cheer him up at the NK!
Photo Credit: PixCel.fr and Gympower.