Inside the bizarre world of underground wrestling where postmen, carpenters and office workers transform into Lycra-clad superstars at weekends
Photographer Kevin Faingnaert has documented the stars of the little-known sport, who support their passion with normal jobs during the week
THE mysterious world of underground wrestling in Europe is revealed in stunning pictures of men and women who live normal lives through the week - then climb in the ring at the weekend.
Postmen, carpenters and office workers are among the dedicated band of semi-pro fighters performing in the quirky league in Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Wrestlers travel from across Europe and the UK - where they have normal jobs.
But when they put on the lycra costumes they transform into their "alter ego" characters with names such as Dynamite Kid, The Silver Bullet and Joe Legend.
Photographer Kevin Faingnaert has been documenting the stars of the little-known sport since February 2015.
He said: “On the weekends they are superheroes or villains. During the week, they are postmen, carpenters and office employees.”
RELATED STORIES
Kevin, from Ghent, Belgium, remembers being enchanted by American wrestling on TV as an teenager and staged his own backyard matches with his brother and friends.
Recently he discovered the hidden world of wrestling in which theatrical contests between good and evil are played out in front of modest crowds.
He says there is more comedy than in glitzy shows like WWE, but the wrestlers take their characters extremely seriously and some even keep their masks on while entering and leaving the venues to keep up the persona.
For some it is their main occupation, but all have to support their passion with other more mundane jobs.
Kevin's photo series, called Catch, will be exhibited in Paris in January as part of the festival Circulations.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368