With talent and hard work, his dancing skills improved rapidly. After three months, he began giving performances to earn extra money to keep his dream alive.

Wang traveled to many cities during the following years, studying and performing, until when he set up his own dance studio in Jiaxing in 2012.

After paying over 30,000 yuan in rent, he found himself penniless again, and the former construction worker had to renovate the studio by himself. His studio now has 300 students, most of whom are migrant workers from rural areas, as he once was.

The studio offers courses ranging from pole dancing to jazz and street dance styles. His income has increased to more than 300,000 yuan a year, enough to support himself and his parents.

Last year, Wang took part in a national pole dance competition and won the men's division. Professional dancers said his moves demonstrate "a slow and elegant feeling like a sculpture that has come alive".

But to Wang, his success has a greater meaning - to show people that pole dancing is not just for seedy karaoke bars and scantily clad girls. It is about keeping fit, staying healthy and having fun.

"If pole dancing becomes an Olympic event one day, I want to be the first Chinese dancer to compete," he said.

Xinhua