A modern juggernaut with traditional roots: Inside Senegalese wrestling

Young wrestlers train at the school of ex-Wrestler Boy Kaire at the Corniche in Dakar.

Lac de Guiers 2 pulls his eponym, the former wrestler Lac de Guiers 1, through the sand.

Photographer Freekis Ndoye from Dakar shows historical pictures of wrestlers from the 1950’s. The first wrestler in Senegambia was Boukar Djilak Faye, who lived in the 14th century Kingdom of Sine. Today, almost every village in the countryside organises regular tournaments.

Kehrou Ngor looks down at the streets from his family home in the village of Ngor in Dakar. He is not only a well-respected wrestler, he sometimes also plays the role of watchman in his village.

People gather in front of Kherou Ngor's house to see the young wrestler perform a traditional dance before he fights at the Iba Mar Diop stadium.

Kherou Ngor, a young wrestling champion, washes himself with milk on the shore of Ngor, Dakar. He performs this ritual to seek favor from a ghost who lives in the stones at the shore.

Flag bearers carry the Senegalese flag through the Iba Mar Diop stadium in Dakar before the final match.

Wrestlers prepare for matches in the Adrien Senghor arena in Yoff district.

Women and children from the Senegalese village of Soune assemble to watch a wrestling match.

Two wrestlers face off during a local tournament in the region of Sine Saloum.

People gather on the streets in Dakar to watch a wrestling match on Independence Day.