Meet the female pro wrestlers of Mexico – The Washington Post

Lucha libre is Mexico’s version of what we in the United States refer to as pro wrestling. Its dates to 1863, when a Mexican wrestler named Enrique Ugartechea developed a form of “freestyle” wrestling that was based on Greco-Roman wrestling. Lucha libre began to soar in popularity in Mexico after two Italian businessmen started promoting fights in the early 1900s. It has since become popular around the globe. The sport is mostly performed by men, called “luchadores,” festooned in colorful outfits and masks. But women also take part in the sport, and they are called “luchadoras.” Fascinated by the sport, and particularly with the female participants, Italian photographer Diana Bagnoli traveled to Mexico.