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The next generation of Bolivian women wrestlers fight to keep sport alive

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Thomas Levinson
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Feb 27, 2019

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Veteran cholita wrestler Jennifer Dos Caras, 45, competes in the ring with Randy Four in El Alto, Bolivia, Jan. 21, 2019. The sport, known by the English-derived name catchascan, has delighted foreign tourists and photographers for years while building a sense of pride among indigenous women.
Veteran cholita wrestler Jennifer Dos Caras, 45, competes in the ring with Randy Four in El Alto, Bolivia, Jan. 21, 2019. The sport, known by the English-derived name catchascan, has delighted foreign tourists and photographers for years while building a sense of pride among indigenous women. Juan Karita/AP

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Cholita wrestler Natalia Pepita, 19, is held down by fellow fighter in training, Wara, 22, in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.
Cholita wrestler Natalia Pepita, 19, is held down by fellow fighter in training, Wara, 22, in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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"The girls who want to do this sport have to have guts, will, because this is a sport that demands a lot of discipline," said Leydi Huanca, 29, whose real name is Reyna Torrez.
“The girls who want to do this sport have to have guts, will, because this is a sport that demands a lot of discipline,” said Leydi Huanca, 29, whose real name is Reyna Torrez. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestler Nelly Pankarita jumps over her young rival Eleonor as they compete in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
“I love those leaps of Reyna, and it’s a dream that she’s teaching us,” said 17-year-old Nieves Laura Tarqui, who wrestles as Nelly Pankarita, a last name that means “Little Flower” in Aymara. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas strikes a pose for a portrait before competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.
Young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas strikes a pose for a portrait before competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Veteran cholita wrestler Reyna Torrez stands in the corner of the ring as she competes with teen fighter Dona Chevas in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.
A new generation of about 50 young women like Dona Chevas, 16, are training at three schools to take up the sport. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestler Wara puts her makeup on before competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
Young cholita wrestler Wara puts her makeup on before competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Wara, 22, and the other trainees are still a year away from their full professional debuts. Juan Karita/AP

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Natalia Pepita, 19, watches through a hole in the curtain backstage during female wrestling competitions in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
Natalia Pepita, 19, watches through a hole in the curtain backstage during female wrestling competitions in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Reyna Torrez, a veteran cholita wrestler who uses the ring name Leydi Huanca, carries her daughter Lydia after an interview at her home in El Alto, Bolivia, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
Reyna Torrez, a veteran cholita wrestler carries her daughter Lydia. Torrez, 29, is teaching a new generation of female wrestlers as her generation of fighters gradually dwindled to just seven. Juan Karita/AP

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Veteran cholita wrestler Reyna Torrez is reflected in a mirror next to a poster of Mexican professional wrestler Rey Mysterio.
Veteran cholita wrestler Reyna Torrez is reflected in a mirror next to a poster of Mexican professional wrestler Rey Mysterio. Juan Karita/AP

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Bolivia Fighting Cholitas
“I started wrestling when I was 15 and I love it,” said 19-year-old wrestler Eleonor. AP

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Veteran cholita wrestler Jennifer dos Caras, 45, holds a cement block over teen wrestler Lucero la Bonita in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
Veteran cholita wrestler Jennifer dos Caras, 45, holds a cement block over teen wrestler Lucero la Bonita in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestler Nelly Pankarita strikes a pose wearing her mask after competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.
Young cholita wrestler Nelly Pankarita strikes a pose wearing her mask after competing in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Veteran cholita wrestler Leydi Huanca, 29, dances as she enters the ring area to compete in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.
As a match is about to start, cholita wrestlers apply makeup and perfume and then enter to ring dancing to folkloric music. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestlers Wara, left, and Natalia Pepita compete in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.
About 50 young women like Pepita and Wara are training at schools to take up the sport, some at an institution known as Independent Wrestlers of Enormous Risk. Juan Karita/AP

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A tourist takes a selfie with cholita wrestlers after they competed in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.
A tourist takes a selfie with cholita wrestlers after they competed in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas, 16, top, holds the legs of her rival, fellow trainee Simpatica Sonia, 24, as they compete in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2019.
Young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas, 16, top, holds the legs of her rival, fellow trainee Simpatica Sonia, 24, as they compete in the ring in El Alto, Bolivia, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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Seen from behind the backstage curtain, young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas, left, fights with fellow trainee Lucero in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.
Seen from behind the backstage curtain, young cholita wrestler Dona Chevas, left, fights with fellow trainee Lucero in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Juan Karita/AP

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