WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)—Sports are an important part of any culture. Mexican wrestling is just as much about competition as it is about preserving culture and tradition. It is known as “la lucha libre Mexicana,” and it goes far beyond the borders of the Aztec country.
Several wrestlers of the traditional Mexican sport faced each other at the Wichita Taco Fest in Andover in June.
“Bruceador and I are the only luchadores tag team in Kansas. We will go city to city. Dodge City, Hutchinson, Wichita, to represent Chancla Violence, to represent our Hispanic culture, and to represent lucha libre,” said professional wrestler El Chancleador.
With colorful, bright clothes, mysterious masks and full of emotion, Mexican wrestling athletes confront each other in the ring.
“This sport is as real as it gets. Everything hurts. My body hurts from here and there,” said professional wrestler Astral Dragon.
Referee Johnny El Guapo says the sport combines elements from theatre, circus, and acrobatics, which are tied to symbols of Mexican culture.
“From pre-Hispanic times, the Aztecs already used the masks of teams, and now wrestlers continue to use the masks,” KSN’s Eric Jiménez translated.
La lucha libre Mexicana is considered an intangible piece of cultural heritage, defined by the United Nations as always evolving and providing a sense of identity between communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month is held from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. It begins on Sept. 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
