Lucha libre wrestlers in Mexico take fight against Covid-19

Lucha libre wrestlers in Mexico take fight against Covid-19 to vast market

A youth office in the Mexico City government this month began to deploy wrestlers in various markets in the capital to raise awareness of the pandemic while also promoting the culture heritage of lucha libre is one of Mexico’s most popular sports.

Mexico’s famous lucha libre wrestlers turned Latin America’s largest wholesale food market into a battleground against COVID-19 this week, barging down walkways to urge people to wear masks to contain the virus.

One year into the pandemic, arenas that would usually draw thousands of rowdy spectators to watch the free-style wrestlers in lucha libre fights have stayed closed.

So the masked wrestlers have taken on a different fight.

“Put on a mask!” a group of wrestlers in traditional outfits urged buyers and sellers in the bustling thoroughfares of Mexico City’s sprawling Central de Abasto market. “Be responsible!”

Those who resisted were sprayed down with disinfectant.

Lucha libre wrestler Ciclon Ramirez sprays water at a man as he and others encourage mask-less to wear masks as a measure of prevention against the continued coronavirus disease.(REUTERS)