A journey across borders

Sam, 35, from Torquay, a small town in south-west England, is a multiple Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion. Franck, 18, is from Batié, a village in the far west of Cameroon. In 2018, Sam decided to drop everything to come and teach Jiu Jitsu to the children of the Francis Ngannou Foundation, a martial arts center opened by the champion himself in his native village. After living in Cameroon for 4 years, Sam decided to return to England and adopt Franck, who was abandoned by his father and lost his mother when he was a child. Sam sees in Franck a future champion, and a strong bond is created between them, halfway between father-son and big brother-little brother.

Since 2021, I've been documenting their journey through dreams, struggles, wounds and realities.