Der Spiegel commissioned Magnum photographer Emin Özmen in April 2024 to document the training of Palestinian wrestlers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, ahead of their potential appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games. Accompanied by German journalist Matthias Fiedler, the Magnum photographer followed Ali Aburamaila, 26-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank, on his way to the competition, where he was ultimately defeated by a Kazakh competitor.

At five-foot-two, Aburamaila aspired to compete in the Olympics and to fight in front of millions of spectators, something that fringe sports are usually denied...