{"id":595584,"date":"2026-07-20T20:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T20:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/595584\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T20:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T20:10:11","slug":"worlds-oldest-pole-dancer-is-an-82-year-old-who-turned-a-fitness-challenge-into-a-passion-to-work-the-pole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/595584\/","title":{"rendered":"‘World’s Oldest Pole Dancer’ is an 82-year-old who turned a fitness challenge into a passion to work the pole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I’m not sure how I got on the old lady pole dancing<\/a> beat, but I’m here. Is it a fascination with the crazy in the world? Is it for the love of the game? The answer is anyone’s guess.<\/p>\n

Enough about me. Let’s focus on why we’re all here. An 82-year-old Italian woman who isn’t plopping herself in a chair and knitting sweaters all day long. She’s too busy for that.<\/p>\n

\"Pole <\/p>\n

Italian woman earns the title of “World’s Oldest Pole Dancer” as she competes at 82. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Idanna Abignente is out climbing on poles<\/a> performing moves designed for much younger women and earning herself the title of “World’s Oldest Pole Dancer,” which is in the bio of her Instagram account.<\/p>\n

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Why wouldn\u2019t she have an Instagram account? And why wouldn’t she have tens of thousands of followers? She’s an 82-year-old who still rocks a two piece and hangs upside down on a pole<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The soon-to-be 83-year-old got her start about 12 years ago when a friend of her son’s opened a studio in Turin, reports the NY Post<\/a>. A fitness challenge followed and turned into a passion.<\/p>\n

Abignente has been on a pole ever<\/a> since. She competes and trains at least two or three times a week when she’s not preparing for competitions, although she doesn’t have much competition in her age group.<\/p>\n

“I always win because there aren\u2019t any other competitors over 80,” she said. “I still haven\u2019t met anyone over 80. I\u2019d really like to.”<\/p>\n

POLE DANCING GRANDMA SAYS SHE’S IN THE BEST SHAPE OF HER LIFE SINCE ADDING THE POLE TO HER EXERCISE ROUTINE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The oldest competitor she’s faced was a 74-year-old American and that took place last year. This is more than an activity for strippers. It’s a sport, according to Abignente, and not one for the weak.<\/p>\n

\"Female <\/p>\n

The “World’s Oldest Pole Dancer” is still competing at 82. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“It’s a complete sport, but also a very demanding one. You have to learn to trust your body<\/a> and endure physical exertion. Like many sports, it leaves its marks,” she explained.<\/p>\n

While anyone can do it, you need “tenacity, determination, consistency and a high tolerance for pain<\/a>” to reach her level.<\/p>\n

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As if you haven’t already been inspired enough by an 82-year-old pole dancer, she’s not planning to quit doing what she loves. She’s going to keep going.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll be 83 in September, I\u2019m not pretending to be 40. But I don\u2019t want the number to decide for me.”<\/p>\n

Sean Joseph is a writer for OutKick.<\/p>\n