Wrestling, “la lutte” in French, is by far the most popular sport in Senegal, even more popular than soccer. Almost everybody, from the toddler up to the grandmother pursues the big wrestle matches either in the stadium, on television or on the street. Shaman rituals are performed as a firm part of the wrestling show, even in the big stadiums. In the western colloquial language these rituals are often called Voodoo, but the Senegalese call it Gris-gris. 

Modern development and acient African traditions come together in this sport. It has its historical roots in preparations among warrior classes for battle, and is still seen as an indication of masculine strength and ability. The sport is part of a larger West African form of traditional wrestling, but differs in that the Senegalese version allows blows with the hands. 

During the last 10 years, La Lutte Sénégalaise has become a million dollar spectacle, mostly because of big telecom sponsors, TV stations, and new media channels. This has led to the most successful wrestlers becoming media-stars and billionaires, giving young men in this African country a very different perspective. 

Every morning and evening young men gather at the beaches in Dakar to train themselves in order to become professional wrestlers. Those who succeed gain high social recognition along with prize money in the hundreds of thousands of US dollars for the highest profile fights, but also gain prospect of well-paid jobs in the security industry or as trainers in wrestling schools.

"The Gris-Gris Wrestlers of Senegal" is a photo project which I photographed between 2015 and 2020. The story was published in Stern Magazin, the Guardian, Lens Culture, National Geographic, 6mois, Men´s Health, Die Zeit, NZZ and many more Magazins and Newspapers. The story was awarded many times, for example at the World Press Photo Award in 2016 and the NPPA "Best of Photojournalism" in 2017.