Open Category: Photojournalism / Story (AMATEUR) - HONORABLE MENTION
El Gimnasio Hermanos Manchego
Photo © Theo Gould
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San Andrés Island, one of the lesser known Caribbean Islands, is geographically closer to Nicaragua, yet politically part of Colombia. It is an idyllic a spot as you’ll find with its white sandy beaches, coral reefs and laid-back charm. Although, there is another side to the island. There are a huge number of empty and abandoned spaces — often empty carcasses of buildings that were never finished.
Nelson Antonio “La Maldad” Manchego Sierra returned to San Andrés after a successful professional boxing career in the United States and Europe with a view to opening a free-of-charge boxing gym to train local kids on the island. The building that now houses El Gimnasio Hermanos Manchego was originally filled with squatters and drug addicts. Moving them on, Nelson and a group of those closest to him cleaned out the space and lobbied local businesses and his contacts from his boxing career to garner equipment with which to open his gym. Cement, wood, punchbags, gloves, ropes and the like. Despite the generous donations, the space is still very basic. There is no inside lighting, the floor often floods and the excess must be swept out of the building.
Nelson’s gym is the only of its kind on the island. Not only does he provide his time and expertise free-of-charge, but he has also managed to secure enough sponsorship that he feeds his students after every training session. They sit around on the few plastic and office chairs lying around the gym and talk about the sport. In a lot of ways Nelson has created a family whereby his students not only learn a valuable profession but it also keeps them out of trouble and away from nefarious lifestyles.
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San Andrés Island, one of the lesser known Caribbean Islands, is geographically closer to Nicaragua, yet politically part of Colombia. It is an idyllic a spot as you’ll find with its white sandy beaches, coral reefs and laid-back charm. Although, there is another side to the island. There are a huge number of empty and abandoned spaces — often empty carcasses of buildings that were never finished.
Nelson Antonio “La Maldad” Manchego Sierra returned to San Andrés after a successful professional boxing career in the United States and Europe with a view to opening a free-of-charge boxing gym to train local kids on the island. The building that now houses El Gimnasio Hermanos Manchego was originally filled with squatters and drug addicts. Moving them on, Nelson and a group of those closest to him cleaned out the space and lobbied local businesses and his contacts from his boxing career to garner equipment with which to open his gym. Cement, wood, punchbags, gloves, ropes and the like. Despite the generous donations, the space is still very basic. There is no inside lighting, the floor often floods and the excess must be swept out of the building.
Nelson’s gym is the only of its kind on the island. Not only does he provide his time and expertise free-of-charge, but he has also managed to secure enough sponsorship that he feeds his students after every training session. They sit around on the few plastic and office chairs lying around the gym and talk about the sport. In a lot of ways Nelson has created a family whereby his students not only learn a valuable profession but it also keeps them out of trouble and away from nefarious lifestyles.
About author:
Theo is an emerging English photographer born in London, now living in Medellín, Colombia. He originally studied philosophy at the University of Reading and more recently photojournalism at Instituto Henry Agudelo in Colombia which has created a balanced combination. Studying philosophy for three years at undergraduate level, and two years prior to that while at school, has led to his passion for getting to the roots of issues. Understanding these feeds his intense desire to portray humans overcoming all odds, and even thriving in the face of adversity. Now, through his social-documentary photography he critiques modern society through creative, yet natural imagery. His aim is simple - to show the good and beauty in humanity, no matter where it may lie.BACK TO GALLERY
