In Senegal, traditional wrestling is more popular than football, with the champions making their fortunes and becoming national celebrities. In most of the country, the sport is only for men but in the remote, southern region of Casamance, there is a long history of female wrestling and so the national team all come from Casamance.
These women train several times a week at the local beach. Traditional wrestling is slightly different to the Olympic sport and the women have to be taught certain techniques if they want to take their passion to another level. The most famous female wrestler in Senegal, Isabelle Sambou, is from Casamance. She went to the Olympic Games in London last year and got fifth place.
Fewer girls take part in wrestling nowadays because they go to school and university and also sometimes because of early pregnancies, says wrestling organiser Karafa Diatta.
