Series - FotoSlovo 2026 - Category « Documentary / Reportage »

The traditional wrestling (kushti) occupies a significant place in India's sporting heritage.

Every year, hundreds of young men and teenagers hailing from mostly poor rural areas migrate to the city of Kolhapur with the aspiration of becoming kushti champions. But it’s an arduous journey.

Before and after their grueling training sessions, they come together to cook in communal groups and share the floor of their modest living spaces for sleep. United by their common dream, they forge deep bonds that transcend the boundaries of a wrestling pit.

The idea was to document stories of anthropological and cultural importance with the aim of sharing them with a wider audience and create a documentary film, now in post-production. These photos are a key part of the larger project and the journey that began in early 2023. My aim is for this body of work to be developed into a book, and any prize money awarded will be used for this purpose.