Arena - By Trad Magazine Trad Magazine

Mohammed Ahmed is a three-time Olympian and Canada's most accomplished athlete in long distance racing. This past summer, he won the silver medal in the 5000m event at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Tune in while he speaks with Ian Keteku about his trials, triumphs and what it takes to become an Olympic medallist.  

Capoeira is a ritual dance turned martial art rooted in the Kingdom of Kongo (modern-day Angola and western DRCongo) imported to Brazil through the slave trade. It can incorporate judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and wrestling. So why, despite its renewed complexity and structure, is it not legitimized as an Olympic sport?

Rika Mpogazi explores more. 

When Akilah Adena Walcott decided to take up pole dancing, she didn't realize it would be so tough.
However, she soon realizes that the bumps, bruises, scratches and burns are part of the conditioning. A test to make her mind and body stronger.

Written by Akilah Adena Walcott.

Salma El Zamel reflects on the spirituality of martial arts through personal anecdotes. The episode features a lesser known martial art which felt like home to Salma, she explains why. 

“You can't claim a community, a community claims you”

When an athlete competes, they add to stories of immigration, displacement, adaptations, and courage.

Who do we accept into our communities, who do we claim as our heroes, who do we name our compatriots? Whose citizenship do we value, both in victory and defeat?

On this episode of Arena we explore what it means to love a country that does not always love you back.

Tune into this limited series podcast about sport and culture from Africa the Caribbean and the diaspora.