I’ve practiced and photographed martial arts in one way or another throughout the 2000s. Everyone wants to be a champion, but only a few are willing to go through the setbacks and losses, and put in the massive amount of work it takes to get there. In those moments of disappointment, at its best, the people around the fighter coaches, fellow fighters, referees and staff becomes a caring and supportive fight family. No one becomes a champion alone, and victories never come for free.

With my images, I aim to show moments of sheer will, the lows, and those times when the fight family shows its best side. From defeat to victory, or chin down and on to the next disappointment.