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"This December I would like to rank among the first three" - interview with Noémi Marosvölgyi
Although she’s been on the pole only for a few years, she’s already a multiple national, EU and World champion. Whether doubles or solo, she regularly ranks in the top three. Very soon, she will appear on television too as a real Ninja Warrior! Interview with Noémi Marosvölgyi, by Andrea Tamás.
You started as a gymnast, then performed as a circus artist, now you are on the pole. Practically, you’ve been spending your whole life up in the air. What was your motivation to start pole sports?
Pole sports is a kind of challenge to me, very similar to the one I experienced as a gymnast. To be honest, I can hardly see any differences between the two. Both have helped me on the path to finding myself and both have added more color to my life – that’s why I love it.
Does your active past have a positive effect on your current sport life?
My past in sports helps me a lot. I have also transformed my training. I prepare for a competition like I used to do as a gymnast earlier. I started a more complex competition training program than ever. It’s very useful that I know the basics: I know what I need to be prepared.
How difficult it was to switch from one genre to the other?
Not very difficult. Of course, I have weaknesses, for example, dancing, which I completely missed and where I need to improve. But gymnastics is a perfect base, I can make use of it when it comes to pole sports.
You have been competing since your childhood. Do you still have stage fright?
Always. (she laughs) I don’t know, why, but I still have. It’s probably because I am a perfectionist, I just want prove it to myself, that I can do the routine perfectly, also I want to become better and better. Sometimes I simply cannot deliver a 100% – maybe because I’m too nervous.
Do you have any tricks that help you to reduce stage fright?
Well, I have stage fright, that’s the way I work, I can live with it. It happened once that I could completely let it go. Then it was only me, the music and the stage. That was at Pole Dance Globe in 2016, when I really felt the flow. Unfortunately, I don’t really know how to control it yet.
How does your competition training program looks like?
As I mentioned, I have just reorganized my training program and started with a more complex approach. Movement improvement, running, strengthening, static and dynamic stretching - pole training forms also part of my program, but this is not the main focus any more. I put a big emphasis on the basics, they help my movement a lot.
How about choosing the music?
First I have an idea about my routine, then I request the help of a choreographer. She also helps me with the choreography. I always have something concrete in my mind, but I used to ask for help in order to create the perfect picture. There’s always a central motive, and the whole routine is built on that.
How can you handle the ups and downs during the competition training?
There are always hard times. Usually I completely forget about everything when I train, because I’m so focused on the training itself. This gives me a lot of energy. Of course, sometimes I can’t succeed with anything – in this case I just stop.
You have already competed in both solo and doubles categories, which one do you prefer, and why?
I like both of them, but for different reasons. Currently, I compete in solo category, as my partner got injured before the national championship, therefore we could not compete. But I still love both as they both give me something special. Whenever I practice with my doubles partner, we support or just tease each other. Then there is a special atmosphere. In the doubles, you need more strength. When you are competing in solo, then you also need stamina. So, now I compete in solo, and I have promising results already, although I feel, I have even more to achieve.
At your level, who can you train with?
I have learnt how to train by myself, so I do it on my own. Occasionally, I copy tricks from others or just invent new tricks by myself. By now, I figured out most of the transitions. I feel that preparing by myself helped me a lot to become creative too.
What are your future goals?
Currently, I’m preparing for the POSA World Championship to be held in Lichtenstein in December. I would like to rank among the first three. There are two huge international federations in the pole industry, POSA and IPSF. I have already competed at the IPSF World Championship where I was the runner-up in the semi-finals and ranked 11th in the finals. In December, I want to rank much higher.
What do you think about the actual situation of pole sports in Hungary?
In order to have more competitors, we need more complex trainings and matching infrastructure. There are a couple of studios who already co-operate with gymnastics training halls, and introduce acrobatics as well. It’s a long way, though. Looking at the other competitors from abroad, we will need to put in more and more effort.
What is your biggest motivation?
In terms of pole sports? Learning new stuff, extending my limits. And, of course, achieving a certain goal and the results.
Whenever you are not on the pole, what do you like to do?
I try to be with my fiancé as much as I can. We like walking, taking excursions with our puppy, we prefer ourdoor programs, being surrounded by fresh air. Also, I like to try new things, for example extreme sports. This year I started wake-boarding, and bungee is also on my bucket list. Basically, I like everything except for ball games which I’m hopeless at (she laughs). I like going to the cinema, shopping, and good food. :)
Photos: Rúdvilág, Szucsgergo.com
Author: Andrea Tamás