Coronavirus: Mexican wrestlers sew Lucha Libre face masks
As social distancing in Mexico has put an end to lucha libre for the time-being, fighters have taken to making face coverings.
Unable to compete due to coronavirus, Mexico’s Lucha Libre wrestlers have taken up sewing face masks.
Social distancing means the iconic sport is on hold for now, so fighters need to find other ways to make money.
The tradition of wearing elaborate wrestling costumes and masks means they are well-placed to use their skills and materials to make protective masks.
It is feared coronavirus is spreading quickly in Mexico, with more than 9,500 confirmed cases.
In many parts of the country, including Mexico City, it is now compulsory to wear a mask when outdoors.
Lucha Libre is a unique form of professional wrestling in Mexico dating back over a century, and competitors wear colourful masks and spandex costumes.
Fighters cultivate big personas but hide their true identities behind their masks, so they become identified by only their mask design.
One of the greatest wrestlers in history, El Santo, is even said to have been buried in his mask when he died in 1984.
Now as social distancing measures have largely put an end to spectator sport for the time-being, fighters like El Hjio de Soberano find themselves unable to work.
