Canarian wrestling
The Lucha Canaria, also known as Canarian wrestling, is a regionally very popular martial art in the Canary Islands.
The Lucha Canaria is originally from the natives of the Canary Islands, the Guanches. Was dissolved thus probably among other things, disputes over land ownership. There are about four to five thousand wrestlers ( luchadores ), which are distributed in about a hundred clubs in all the islands, with the Lucha Canaria is sponsored by the schools in the Canaries. Is kicking into two teams, each with twelve fighters. Each pairing is struggling in three rounds. A round lasts two minutes.
The wrestling itself takes place on a circular, covered with sand area of about ten meters in diameter, the so-called terrero. A fight begins with a welcome and the referee's whistle. The two wrestlers stand shoulder to shoulder collectively, each of the rolled-up trouser leg of the other. One of the wrestlers must now try to leave with another body part touching the opponent as the feet of the floor. With the highest possible weight, refined attack maneuvers and handles very skillfully applied successfully wrestled. Kicks or punches are taboo. Touched a fighter the ground more than once with a different part of the body as the feet, he has lost that round is over. The winner is the luchador, who has won two rounds. A typical, traditional gesture of this sport is that the winner helps the loser getting up and accompanied him to his place. There are also held woman fighting for some time.
The fight will take place barefoot. Otherwise, the athletes are wearing a large T -shirt and a slightly longer pants, which is rolled up on the thigh. At this envelope the enemy can access the fight.
The Lucha Canaria is organized by the existing since 1943 Association Federación de Lucha Canaria. Professional bouts are often transmitted in regional television.