Wang Tao (left) trains with his teammate Chen Wenbin in a forest in China’s southern Guangdong province. When Wang 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

Wang Tao (second-right) trains with his teammates in an abandoned building in Guangdong province

Wang Tao (left) and his teammates using a mobile phone to live-stream during training

Wrestlers rehearsing before the Middle Kingdom Wrestling championship event in Shanghai. Despite a promising potential domestic market, the Chinese pro wrestling community has been battling for recognition and financial stability for decades

Wrestlers preparing backstage

The Japanese wrestler Yuki Kamifuku (centre) interacts with the audience

Wang Tao (centre) fighting with his opponents

Andruew Tang fighting with his opponent Sky

Wang Tao (right) celebrating with fans

Andruew Tang battles Sky

Wang Tao (centre) fights acrobatically with his opponent

Wang Tao enters the ring

Filipina wrestler Crystal runs across the ring

Crystal (left) clashes with Yuki Kamifuku (right)

Yuki Kamifuku (right) and Crystal (left) in the ring

Chen Wenbin (top) topples Liu Xuanzheng

Chen Wenbin (centre) lying on the ground after falling down outside the ring

Chairman AL applauding the audience