Mari Moreno has once again positioned herself at the forefront of Paraguay’s pole dance scene. At the 2026 edition of Exotic Sunday Paraguay, Mari Moreno (43) secured first place in the duo category while also earning the highest score in the pole sport division. The achievement not only highlights technical excellence but also reinforces a broader artistic vision that continues to shape the discipline locally.
“We competed in the duo category at Exotic Sunday, in the pole sport division, and we placed first,” Mari Moreno says to The Asunción Times. “We were also delighted to receive the award for the highest score across the entire division.” The recognition reflects years of disciplined training and a clear commitment to both athletic and expressive performance.
Mari Moreno and her journey to Paraguay
Originally from Honduras, Moreno arrived in Paraguay following a work opportunity that brought her family to Asunción at a time when she was fully dedicated to caring for a young child. Before that move, she had built a career in engineering while also training in contemporary jazz and pole dance in Lima, Peru. After settling in Paraguay, Moreno quickly noticed that pole dance had little to no presence locally. That absence motivated her to pursue professional certification and further training abroad, eventually leading to the creation of Asunpole.
The award-winning routine, titled Contratiempo (Setback), draws heavily on Mari Moreno’s personal reflections about time, pressure, and balance. The choreography carries deep emotional weight, as it reflects Mari Moreno’s personal struggle with time.
“I felt like I never had enough time. Like I was constantly running, overwhelmed, doing everything I could and still falling short,” she describes it as either chasing time or being chased by it, always on the verge of being caught. That cycle shifted after a life-changing moment. “One day, I suffered a fall that could have been very serious. I could have been paralysed, but I walked away unharmed. In that moment, I realised I could not continue like that, and I finally calmed down.”
Life: In constant motion without balance
Her performance portrays how life begins without understanding, yet time immediately starts moving, forcing action, urgency, and constant motion without balance.
“At some point, you stop and realise you need to breathe, pause, think, and find equilibrium. If you are lucky, you reach a different rhythm, almost comfortable, almost in harmony.” However, the choreography also acknowledges an inevitable truth. “Time never stops, and when you finally reach that balance, it is possible your body no longer has time left. Every time I perform this piece, I feel like I am reliving my life, and it moves me deeply to interpret it.”
Building a legacy for pole dance in Paraguay
For Mari Moreno, however, results remain secondary to the process. “For me, results are always a consequence. My main goal is to present the work exactly as it was developed.” This mindset has become central to the philosophy behind Asunpole, which now marks over a decade of activity. “Paraguay is a country full of opportunities. In this case, pole dance was a new path waiting to be created.” Through teaching and performance, Mari Moreno has worked to challenge perceptions of the discipline.
“Receiving these recognitions allows me to showcase our work as Asunpole. Seeing it valued proves that we have achieved one of our goals: to show that pole dance can also be art.”
A focus on storytelling
Preparation for competitions reflects the same level of dedication. “Physical preparation is always a challenge, especially due to time management. We train daily as a duo and also work individually to refine details.” In addition, Mari Moreno maintains physical condition through yoga while focusing mentally on storytelling.
Looking ahead, she remains grounded in the same principles that shaped this latest victory. “Mentally, it is about staying focused on the story and its interpretation. It requires truly feeling what we want to express.” With this approach, Mari Moreno continues to expand both artistic boundaries and the visibility of pole dance in Paraguay.
In other sports news, check out the story of Fabio Meza, a Paraguayan-American content creator living the Albirroja dream.
