Yong Teck Lim: Photo positions at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore were fixed, making it hard to get creative. Still, China's Jincheng Guo was impossible to overlook - competing without goggles, cap and tech suit, and throwing in his trademark bubble technique for good measure. For the first three days he swam only 50m events, leaving me little to capture. On day four the 200m individual medley finally gave me an opening. I went in tight, hoping to catch that bubble magic, and managed this single frame that looks like a UFO. His gold-medal finish made the shot even sweeter.

Mahmoud Khaled: I am always searching for grassroots football tournaments in Egypt's villages and working-class neighbourhoods, where spontaneity meets pure passion. The Al-Qudah tournament in Sharqia was one of the most impressively organised I have seen, almost like a professional league match: huge crowds, co-ordinated team entrances, players from the lower divisions, and even referees who officiate in the Egyptian Premier League. What I love most is the journey itself, from discovering the story to reaching the place. The real reward comes afterward, seeing the joy on people's faces when they see their photos published. This frame was taken during the final, capturing the moment a player from Al-Ghaba takes a penalty in the shootout after a 2–2 draw. Al-Numan eventually lifted the trophy.

Christian Petersen: It was an honour to be part of the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, where I set out to capture unique images and fresh perspectives. Noah Lyles' signature pre-race vertical leap inspired me to shoot from high above and behind, creating a new view that highlighted the graphic lines of the track. I was very happy with the result.

Christian Petersen: Covering alpine skiing is one of the most challenging and rewarding assignments for me. I am always searching for graphic elements to complement the intense action. Slalom's bright gates against the white snow create a striking visual canvas. This image, taken at the Ski World Cup Finals in Idaho, captures that perfectly, blending the racer's motion with a sweep of vivid colour.