In Petticoat and Hat: The Art of Cholita Wrestling - 28.11.2019, Sputnik International

Wrestling is part of many cultures but in Bolivia it has a special form: the Cholitas are a landmark event which combines sports and theatrical entertainment. Female wrestlers dressed in skirts and bowler hats engage in really tough fighting with each other on the ring. They can also spar with male opponents and interact with the audience, talking to the fans.

Originally, Cholita wrestling started as a way for females who suffered from domestic abuse to express their frustration and release stress. But after local wrestler and promoter Juan Mamani came up with the idea to bring the women into the wrestling ring, this turned into an entertaining event.

Learn more about the art of Cholita wrestling in Sputnik's photo gallery.

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Bolivian wrestler Ana Luisa Yujra (L), aka "Jhenifer Two Faces" and Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", both members of the Fighting Cholitas, fight at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Blanca Perez, aka "Katy The Beautiful", a member of the Fighting Cholitas, fights with a male wrestler at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Lidia Flores (2-R), aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring" and Ana Luisa Yujra (2-L), aka "Jhenifer Two Faces", both members of the Fighting Cholitas, fight against male wrestlers at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", member of the Fighting Cholitas, applauds before performing at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Ana Luisa Yujra (R), aka "Jhenifer Two Faces", Lidia Flores (on the canvas), aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", both members of the Fighting Cholitas, and a wrestler fight at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", member of the Fighting Cholitas, performs at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Ana Luisa Yujra (R), aka "Jhenifer Two Faces" and Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", both members of the Fighting Cholitas, fight at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Ana Luisa Yujra (R), aka "Jhenifer Two Faces" splits Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", both members of the Fighting Cholitas, during a bout at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Lidia Flores (on the canvas), aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", member of the Fighting Cholitas, fights with a male wrestler at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.

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Bolivian wrestler Lidia Flores, aka "Dina, The Queen of the Ring", member of the Fighting Cholitas, gestures during a bout at Sharks of the Ring wrestling club in El Alto, Bolivia, on November 24, 2019.