Travel Photographer of the Year 2009: winner's gallery

This year's competition was won by Bangladeshi photographer GMB Akash. His vibrant and poignant images of rail travel in his home country won unanimous praise from the judges Photograph: Akash/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Akash/guardian.co.uk Dhaka, Bangladesh: Due to overcrowding and extreme poverty, it's common to see free riders occupying the roof of a train, and even the couplings between cars Photograph: Akash/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Akash/guardian.co.uk Bangladesh: “Its no problem. Watch me smoke and pose for you on a moving train,” said Helaluddin. aged 18, who frequently travels on the roof Photograph: Akash/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Akash/guardian.co.uk Bangladesh: Some free riders even manage to sleep on their precarious perch Photograph: Akash/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Akash/guardian.co.uk Yunnan, China: Fishermen cleaning their nets in the early morning by Erhai Lake. Best single image in the People of the World category, by Johan Ensing, Netherlands Photograph: Johan Ensing/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Johan Ensing/guardian.co.uk New Delhi, India: A muslim man prays in a room while pilgrims gather for Thursday night prayers at the Dargah (shrine) of the Sufi Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya. Runner Up, Portfolio People of the World category, by Karoki Lewis, UK/India Photograph: Karoki Lewis/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Karoki Lewis/guardian.co.uk Himachal Pradesh, India: A crowd watching a wrestling match at a local fair. Portfolio - Homeland category winner, by Poras Chaudhary, India. Photograph: Poras Chaudhary/Travel Photographer of the Year Photograph: Poras Chaudhary/guardian.co.uk Japan: Girl on a swing in a neighbourhood park full of cherry blossom in spring. Best Single Image in a Portfolio category, Special mention, by Kevin Cozma, Canada Photograph: Kevin Cozma/Travel Photographer Of The Year Photograph: Kevin Cozma/guardian.co.uk