Mexico’s Lucha Libre wrestlers have begun sewing face masks to make a living during the coronavirus pandemic.
Social distancing measures have forced the sport to shutdown, with more than 9.500 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Mexico, leaving wrestlers to come up with new ways to make money.
The Lucha Libres traditionally wear elaborate costumes and masks and are now using their talents to transform their outfits into protective gear for sale, with wearing a face mask outdoors now compulsory in large parts of Mexico.
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“Last week we had a very difficult time and my wife says to me: ‘Why don’t we make face masks?’ wrestler El Hjio de Soberano told ESPN.
“So we made some, but using the material we had for the costumes. We use the lycra and the fabrics that are used in the wrestling suit makings. They have double stitching, fabric reinforcement.
Soberano’s masks incorporate famous designs synonymous with Lucha Libre legends and are sold for 150 Mexicas pesos (£5) each.
In Puebla, retired wrestler Isaías Huerta was forced to shut down his consume shop when the government ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses.
He too has instead begun to create custom protective masks, featuring the designs of famous wrestlers such as Dr Wagner and La Parka.
“I’ve always loved talking about wrestling, so much so that I started sewing costumes for my teammates, and now it led me to come up with the idea of wrestler masks,” he told EFE.
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