TO GO WITH China-sport-lifestyle-wrestling, FOCUS by Emily WANG with Rebecca BAILEY
This picture taken on September 14, 2024 shows Wang Tao waiting backstage before a Middle Kingdom Wrestling (MKW) championship event in Shanghai. When Wang Tao ran away from home at the age of 17 to become a pro wrestler, he knew it would be a hard slog to succeed in China's passionate but underdeveloped scene. Years later, he has endured family disapproval, countless side gigs and thousands of hours of brutal training to become China's "Belt and Road Champion" -- but the struggle is far from over. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) / TO GO WITH China-sport-lifestyle-wrestling, FOCUS by Emily WANG with Rebecca BAILEY