# Ivan 'Mel' Gorbunov
Ivan Gorbunov (aka Mel) is a poi spinner, teacher, and researcher.
Poi spinning started in 2006. Early interests also included contact juggling, contact staff, and ball juggling. The main focus later shifted toward developing poi spinning technique.
Workshops and competition judging began in 2008, primarily at festivals in Russia and Ukraine.
Worldwide recognition came in 2009–2010 with the tech poi videos *“Me & My Shadow”* and *“Red Pants”*.
In 2013, participation in the TV show *“Ukraine’s Got Talent”* reached the semifinals with a performance combining contact juggling and poi.
International festival travel (performing + teaching) began in 2016.
From 2020 onward, the focus moved further toward theory and education, including online teaching and building more academic foundations for poi.
Based in Bali since February 2022.
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My links:
* Instagram: [@antispinner](https://www.instagram.com/antispinner/)
* Patreon: [@antispinner](https://patreon.com/antispinner)
* YouTube: [@antispinner](https://www.youtube.com/@Antispinner)
* Facebook: [@antispinners](https://www.facebook.com/antispinners)
* Telegram: [@antispinners](https://t.me/antispinners)
* E-mail:
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