Cholitas: Bolivia's female wrestlers - in pictures

Yolanda La Amorosa takes to the air during a training session in El Alto.
Photograph: James Morgan

Yolanda La Amorosa chokes Mercedes La Extremista against the rope during a training session at a homemade ring on the outskirts of El Alto. The only padding is some old mattresses on planks of wood.
Photograph: James Morgan

The Cholitas Luchadores wrestle in the traditional clothes of the Aymara woman. Yolanda La Amorosa shows how flimsy the colourful slippers are compared with the professional boots the men wear.
Photograph: James Morgan

Marta La Alteña heads to the stadium for her evening bout. Behind her in the distance are the office blocks of La Paz.
Photograph: James Morgan

Marta La Alteña and her sister, Maria La Maldita, put on earrings and makeup before Marta's fight.
Photograph: James Morgan

Residents of El Alto watch the action. Most of the city's population are poor and the weekly bouts make for an expensive day out.
Photograph: James Morgan

Marta puts Denita into a choke during their fight at a warehouse in El Alto.
Photograph: James Morgan

Denita La Intocable tries to stagger to her feet during her bout with Marta La Alteña.
Photograph: James Morgan

The tides turn for the umpteenth time during their fight as the theatrics continue.
Photograph: James Morgan

Dina La Reina Del Ring comes to the aid of Denita La Intocable during the latter's bout with bad girl Marta La Alteña.

To see James Morgan and Johnny Langenheim’s film about Cholitas, go to Vimeo
Photograph: James Morgan