Zhang Jing practices pole dancing in a fitness studio in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province, Aug 18, 2016. [Photo/IC]

A 53-year-old retired worker Zhang Jing has won medals in a recent pole dancing championship in Beijing.

After retiring, Zhang, who is from Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, didn't want to stay idle at home like many of her contemporaries, so she revisited a childhood dream to become a dancer, and started to learn pole dancing.

She says her dancing keeps her fit and healthy, and her svelte figure wins her lots of 'likes' in her WeChat friends group.

Zhang had to retire two years ago when the state-owned company she worked for became bankrupt.

Supported by her son, a dance instructor at a gym, Zhang started learning yoga before falling in love with pole dancing, usually working out with women about 30 years younger than her.

Despite her age, Zhang practices hard and stretches herself with challenging moves.

In a recent pole dancing championship in Beijing, she avoided the seniors' division, and still won a gold medal and a silver medal in the middle-age division.

Zhang is not just able to keep in shape but has become a role model to others. She says it is never too late to start something as long as you have a dream.