Khaiber Akbarzada is on the verge of becoming Afghanistan’s champion of buzkashi, the popular national sport where men on horseback compete for control of a goat carcass. The looming exit of U.S. forces from the country puts the buzkashi superstar at risk as his prominent status makes him a target for the Taliban regime. Haunted by his own history of family tragedy, Akbarzada must make a critical decision about his future as massive change sweeps the nation. – Brandon Harrison