Guinea circus school offers a springboard

IN THE heat of a warehouse-like building in Conakry, five young men twirl, contort and juggle to the rhythm of percussions, defying the laws of gravity and distorting the anatomy of their bodies.

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For several hours each day, they practise at one of west Africa's most renowned circus schools, the Fodeba Keita Acrobatic Arts Centre, which has trained hundreds of disadvantaged youth and showcased students around the world.

Some perform backflips while others work on trapeze tricks, practise precarious balance work or juggle.

Contortionist Mohamed Fofana, whose seemingly impossible distortions make the heart race and the stomach turn, twists his head 180 degrees to face behind him.

The school, which hosts around 100 students, was founded by Ibrahim Bamba, stage name Maitre BBL, a former member of the legendary Circus Baobab.

In the hall, built in 2000 by the French Embassy in Guinea, old and tattered equipment bears the marks of hours of training.