[Twinkletoessaky6621]

Twinkle Toes here!

I much prefer the leveled competition model. I think it puts the responsibility in the hands of the competitor to categorize their level based on set guidelines. I am considered a plus poler but, as a male, I’m expected to be as strong and as accelerated in learning curve as my tinier male counterparts (and when we talk about people not looking like you backstage, I win the internets). Though I don’t compete often, the idea of competing in a non-segmented male category in a large scale competition (DC exempt as it’s based more on entertainment value and crowd pleasing and less on death defying tricks) frustrates me. One could argue that you should compete to have fun and I always do (backstage at DC is LIVE). In the interest of even standing a chance competitively, though, has to be leveled as every trick can be somewhat stocked into a level category (it would not make since for me to do a level 1. It’s no shade. It’s being responsible and fair). In this way, it neutralizes the competition and size does not matter.