EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and the Commissioner’s Court declared June 13 and June 14, “Viva La Lucha Weekend.”
The presentation of the resolution was on Monday morning, June 1.
Members of the Lucha League, along with the Amigo Man, express their thanks to the El Paso County Commissioners’ Court for the resolution for the Viva La Lucha 5K race. Photo taken by Tony Pina/KTSM
The El Paso County Commissioners’ Court presents the resolution for the Viva La Lucha 5K race. Photo taken by Tony Pina/KTSM
Members of the Lucha League and members of the El Paso County Commissioners’ Court pose with the resolution for the Viva La Lucha 5K race. Photo taken by Tony Pina/KTSM
According to a news release by the County, the special recognition celebrates the third annual Viva La Lucha 5K race, which will be on Saturday, June 13 at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
The race “bring together residents, local businesses, nonprofits, artists, athletes, educators, veteran organizations and families to participate in physical activity while promoting cultural appreciation,” read the news release.
In addition to the 5K race, participants and spectators can also enjoy a live wrestling event.
Founder of the Lucha League, Karina Hernandez, says proceeds from the race will help go towards helping kids be active and healthy.
“Viva La Lucha 5K, which is part of an organization that we help out, which is a nonprofit called League of Heroes, and what we do is we help the youth. We inspire, we educate, we create opportunities for the kids to stay healthy, to stay active,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez highlights that the company is veteran-operated. The wrestling rings were created and made by a Vietnam veteran.
“And half of our roster are also military veterans. They’ve been in the Army, Marines, and they have told us that this is a little bit of an escape. So when they (the public) hear that from the veterans, it’s incredible to hear that Lucha Libre and Pro Wrestling is something that keeps them sane, keeps them grounded, and keeps them going and working,” Hernandez said.
Luchador Ombre Lobo says that Lucha Libre started in 1918 and lucha has a deep part of the Borderland history.
“There’s so many great, great things that Lucha Libre has contributed here in the borderland. A lot of great families, the Guerreros and the Cobardes. A lot of great wrestling organizations, schools, you know, wrestling is becoming again a Mecca to come out to come train as well as to come entertain, you know, brings tourism,” Ombre Lobo said. “You know what, it’s great, it’s another reason that we want to preserve history with the El Paso Wrestling Hall of Fame. There’s a lot of great wrestlers that are unknown.”
“A lot of great wrestlers that kind of get unnoticed here in El Paso that are doing great things in other places. Pro Wrestling Legacy now, so many great organizations here in El Paso. So we’re trying to bring unity to El Paso,” Ombre Lobo continued.
Hernandez echoes the same sentiment as Ombre Lobo, saying that Lucha Libre isn’t just for the borderland, but for the whole world to see and enjoy.
“Lucha Libre is not just for El Paso is not just for Juarez, it’s for the whole world to see. I’ve got wrestlers that have gone to Japan, they’ve wrestled in Europe, and it’s one of those things that with, I feel, with what we’re doing, it’s just gonna grow and grow and grow even more. And it’s a part of our culture and our heritage that I’m proud of, and I want to show the world what we’re about,” she said.
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