As the Olympic cauldron burned in Stratford, East London, in 2012, it lit up the competitive spirit in two East End friends. Now, Rajan Rai and Jai Birch are dodging, parrying and attacking their way towards competing in the 2020 Games.
The pair have gone from kids slashing Zs after watching The Legend of Zorro to this year winning a Bronze as a team at the Junior World Fencing Championships in France — Britain’s first-ever team medal in the competition.
They are also the latest to be profiled by our friends at Vice Sports for the New Originals series, which follows people who live by their own rules. The duo, who learned the art of swordsmanship in East End community halls, define themselves by where they are going, not where they’re coming from.
The third instalment of the series, powered by iD Mobile, documents the rise of Rai and Birch, as they pay homage to their roots and imagining facing each other in an Olympic Gold medal final.
Raj found he was the only Sikh and the only Indian in his club, which was dominated by white, English men. As his passion grew, Raj realised the importance of fencing – in his friendships, his religion, and his future.
Meanwhile, Birch first picked up a sabre after following a group of friends to try the sport at a club called the Newham Swords. His friends all dropped out and Birch is now Britain’s No. 1-ranked fencer under 20.
In a world where gangs, Xbox and smoking weed were more common choices, Rajan and Jai made their own destiny. The two friends have their sights set on for world domination. Now, they won’t stop until they reach the 2020 games.
The New Originals series celebrates pioneers who are going against the grain. Watch the rest of the series on Vice Sports and head to idmobile.co.uk.
You might like
Nick Haymes’s intimate portrait of his family’s life
Chronograph — Over 25 years, the photographer documented his son’s lives as they grew into adults. The resulting photobook is an exploration of the passage of time, as well as the optimism of youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kristina Rozhkova’s scatty, confronting portrait of captivity
Gut Feeling — The Russian artist’s 2024 arrest and subsequent detention opened her eye towards the omnipresent dynamics of power and control. Her new photobook is a stark exploration of being trapped.
Written by: Isaac Muk
UK’s first ever Latino film festival is coming to London
LoLaFF — Taking place between October 2-6, it will feature 55 filmmakers from Latin America, with an opening night at the Barbican.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Shawn Walker’s layered, psychedelic vision of Harlem’s streets
From BeBop to Illusion — Using glass as a means to illuminate the city’s different layers, the longtime photographer and filmmaker is publishing his first monograph at the age of 86.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Washing strangers’ feet at Houghton Festival
Pedilavium — As part of artist Henry Krokatsis’s performance piece at the weekender, we sat down with over 30 others to clean the dusty digits of passersby, while reflecting on the power of collective ritual and human connection.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Inside Yoshiwara, Japan’s oldest red light district
Asasuka soaplands — Despite numerous fires and harshening sex work laws, the centuries old area continues to persevere in East Tokyo. Manami Okazaki traces its history and meets people who shape its present.
Written by: Manami Okazaki
