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THE heat is on! Fifteen participants will compete on Friday for the Clorets Dark Secret Amateur Pole Dance championship. The competition is held in conjunction with the second phase of the launch of its newest fresh breath Clorets Dark Secret in Zouk Club, KL from 6.30pm.

Some of the participants of the competition in high spirits.

The competitors are being trained by professional pole dancers to perform their gigs.

"We are extremely excited. Pole dancing is a new form of exercise that provides a full-body workout," said Kwan Pek Mei, 22, and April Yam Meng Lai, 24, (stage name Brittanee Constance and Miss Delicious respectively).

Fellow competitor Chan Yee Von, 24, (stage name Emerald) said she wanted to sign up for something different and decided on pole dancing classes.

"When we started pole dancing, we enjoyed it so much that it is now our passion," said Kyetherine Sim Guat Ling, 19, (stage name Kyeth) and Tan Sean Sean, 25, (stage name Lita).

Sim, an information architect, said initially she had "two left feet" but she can now perform various dance routines with a pole.

Two male participants, Andrew Tan, 20, (Auto) and Issac Wong Zing, 19, (Issac) felt the competition is great to expand their horizons.

A mother of one and a gym instructor, Juraurat Choochor, 33, (stage name Zoe) said: "Pole dancing has given me the freedom to try different dancing styles."

The participants will compete in stage one by performing together a choreographed routine. The judges will then shortlist eight finalists based on discipline, technical ability, artistic flair and creative interpretation.

The grand prize winner will walk away with RM5,000 and a Celebrity Fitness one-year gym membership worth RM3,000, while the second will win RM3,000 and a Celebrity Fitness nine-month gym membership worth RM2,500. The third prize winner takes home RM2,000 and a Celebrity Fitness six-month gym membership worth RM1,500.

Singer-songwriter Hannah Tan and Mix FM Deejay Pietro Felix, will be guest pole dancers.

Those aged above 18 can witness the competition by showing a pack of Clorets Mini mints at the entrance.