As the South Sudanese community in Australia grows, wrestling teams have been formed in almost all states and territories.
The Victorian team, Melbourne Lions, travelled to Perth at the weekend to challenge the reigning champions, Western Empire.
It was the first time such a contest was held in Perth and, even before the big day arrived, the excitement in the community was high.
If you have never seen a South Sudanese wrestling event before, it is quite a sight - filled with music and colour.
A thrumming drumbeat bounds across the arena as the teams enter, surrounded by supporters and friends.
Some wear flags as a sash, others cover their skin with coloured powders. Everyone is singing and dancing to the beat.
The teams enter, surrounded by supporters and friends. Source: Jerrod Lim
And when it comes time to wrestle, teams introduce their fighters with equally as much song, dance and colour.
Legs apart, bodies bent at the waist and hands trailing through the air, the combatants try to find a gap in their opponents' defence.
They have three minutes to grapple their opponent and force them to the ground – whether that's flat on their back or having both hands and knees on the ground.
Tensions are high but there's a strong sense of respect between the combatants - with many congratulating each other on well-fought draws and victories.
Melbourne wins the tournament, 4-3. But if you look around the venue, you can see that the day is more than just a sporting event.
Around the ground, suits and dresses are worn by the audience - marking the day as much more than a simple weekend sports event.
It’s a chance for the community to embrace their culture. Source: Jerrod Lim
It is a chance for the community to catch up with one another and embrace their culture as well as introducing their children to their heritage and community.
It is something community leaders like John Akuot Achiek want to see more of.
"Here in Perth, we need to do more of this kind of activity so that we get a lot of young people engaged, connect[ing] themselves with their culture," Mr Achiek told SBS World News.
His sentiments are echoed by others in the community, such as this year's Miss Africa Perth Lueth Garang Guot.
"The culture and our roots are very important. The young generation seeing both teams wrestling is something new," Ms Guot said.
Over the past few years, there have been a number of events that have made the news and cast a negative light on the South Sudanese communities around the country.
They have three minutes to grapple their opponent and force them to the ground. Source: Jerrod Lim
Concerns around the behaviour of some of the members of their community and their disconnection from their culture has impacted on the group as a whole.
Community leaders are hoping events like this will shed light on what they say is the true South Sudanese community - building the awareness of their culture and values for their young people and Australian society at large.
"It's important so that the wider Australia gets to understand that we are much more than just what is [shown] on TV," Akec Makur Chuot said.
Akec, or Susan as her friends call her, is a player for the Fremantle Dockers in the AFLW and wants to highlight the real face of South Sudanese in Australia.
"We have a culture that we identify as and we have a culture where we celebrate and we love it, and we come together at the end of the day." she said.
