Syrian youth finds freedom in Parkour

Reuters

featured

May 1, 2017

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The Wider Image: Syrian youth find freedom in Parkour

Parkour coach Ibrahim al-Kadiri, 19, and Muhannad al-Kadiri (top), 18, demonstrate their parkour skills in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria. Parkour is a physical discipline which involves climbing and running over buildings and grounds and takes its name from the French word for route or course, “parcours.” Reuters

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Ibrahim discovered Parkour in Jordan, where he had fled to escape the war. Back in his home town since 2015, he now leads a group of 15 practitioners.

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Ibrahim and his team members say the sport is a challenge against the bad conditions they have to endure because of the war. Reuters

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Ibrahim al-Kadiri drinks tea with his friends in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria. Reuters

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At the beginning, the families of Inkhil Parkour members opposed the sport which they saw as dangerous. Reuters

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When they realized their sons didn’t listen and continued to train, eventually acquiring new skills, they changed their views of the sport and started encouraging them. Reuters

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The team records their performances in photos and videos, which they post on social media. Reuters

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Parkour coach Ibrahim al-Kadiri (L), 19, and Muhannad al-Kadiri, 18, demonstrate their Parkour skills in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria, April 7, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Faqir SEARCH… Reuters

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Injuries are frequent among the group. Ibrahim injured his back: “Eight months ago, during an attempt to jump from high place, I injured my back and I stayed in bed for several days until I recovered.” Reuters

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Parkour coach Ibrahim al-Kadiri, 19, demonstrates his Parkour skills with his friend in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria, February 4, 2017. Ibrahim says many team members… Reuters

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Parkour coach Ibrahim al-Kadiri, 19, is seen demonstrating his Parkour skills from a damaged building as people watch him in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria, February… Reuters

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Led by Ibrahim, the team trains on the quiet days of the war. Reuters

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Members of the group say Parkour takes them away from the atmosphere of war and unloads their negative energy. Reuters

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“Parkour makes me a mythical man. It gets us out of the atmosphere of war and makes us forget some of our pain and sorrows, for when i jump from a high place I feel free and i enjoy the fun,” Muhammad says.

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Ibrahim Eid, 16, demonstrates his Parkour skills in front of damaged building in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria. Reuters

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