Third time lucky for pole sport athlete

Clare Filer had to wait for five years before ascending to the pinnacle of pole sport. In the end, it was worth it.

The Farrarmere resident achieved her dream when she won a gold medal in the elite masters 50 plus category at the World Pole and Aerial Championship in Switzerland in October.

That win elevated Filer to the top of the rankings in the pole sport 50-plus-year-old division after winning with a clinical 47 points – nine points ahead of second-placed Ivan Ferdinandovâ from the Czech Republic.

“It’s been a dream for me and finally I’ve managed to achieve it,” she said.

It was her third time participating in the world championships. In 2017 she competed in the master’s 40-plus category and finished in seventh place after scoring 35 points.

In 2021, competing in her current category, she was placed eighth after accumulating 19.8 points. A year later and after months of commitment and dedication, she was one of the four South Africans to return home with a gold medal.

“This world championship was a two-year journey of hard training, injuries and emotional- and psychological training.
“I want to thank my friends, family and my fantastic coach and friend Benita Bouwer for helping and supporting me through this.”

She explained her routine was based on yin and yang contrasts between good and evil and strength and flexibility.

“I wanted to display that we all have a little of both in us – a light side and dark side, good and evil and strength and flexibility – and that we all strive to find some sort of balance between these powers,” Filer said.

Filer had to practice for hours every week for a year and a half to master her routine and ensure she executed the basics well and that she was prepared both mentally and physically.

“Timing with music is key and knowing your music’s every beat and envisioning where you are in your routine on each beat is what really helped me hold it together when nerves kicked in.

“Psychological preparation for this level of competition is as important as the physical and that was the difference between placing and winning,” she said.

She said the benefits of pole sport include fitness, strength and flexibility.

“It’s liberating and fantastic for self-image. You can have fun while being challenged. It’s for all ages, all sizes and any level of fitness. It’s also for males and females.”

Bouwer, a two time world champion, said it was a proud moment for her that she has produce a world champion.

“I have walked the IPSF Worlds road four times. We knew what we were signing up for. I needed to be the best coach and wingman whilst guiding from the head and heart. As a coach you try and lead by example, guide, support, push and encourage. You do everything humanly possible, whether physically or mentally to help prepare your athlete.

“Clare has an extensive and impressive background, more than that, a hunger for gold. She placed a tremendous amount of trust in my ability to guide her and be a part of her journey leading up to worlds.

“Talent, determination, sacrifices and dedication, the encouragement and support we received from our Pole Physiques Studio team, friends and family carried us to the podium in Switzerland,” she said.

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