XAVI HERRERO

Through 117 photographs, this photobook portrays the young fighters from the working-class neighborhoods of Dakar, for whom Laamb, the traditional Senegalese wrestling, is much more than a sport: it is an opportunity to transform their future.

From the sands of Yoff beach to the Arène Nationale de Lutte, the images trace stories of effort, identity and hope in a context marked by a scarcity of opportunities and the constant challenge of migration.

The issue of migration, also present in my filmography through the feature films "Salka in No Man's Land" and "Kitab", filmed entirely in Mauritania, is once again intertwined with the story, providing a profound look at the decisions, desires and challenges that mark the future of an entire generation.

This work constitutes a visual testimony of those who decide to build their destiny in their own land, trusting that their opportunity will emerge from the sand and not from the ocean.
The images in this photobook, structured around working-class neighborhoods and the young fighters who represent them, show much more than just fights or training sessions. They portray stories of perseverance, sacrifice, and hope.