BEIJING -- The northern Chinese city of Tianjin hosted the semifinals of the world pole dance championships on Saturday, with the final to take place Sunday in Beijing.

Luo Linlin, winner of China's 2014 championship, holds the pole position in the six-member Chinese team for the annual event that features men's and women's individual and doubles.

Pole dance has become a popular sport as well as a trendy form of exercise in fitness centers.

In last world championships held in London, Chinese Sun Yingzhi won Best Entertainer in the men's division and Fang Chunyan took Best Costume in the women's.