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Pro wrestling, a popular entertainment form in
the U.S., mixes theatrical performance with athletics and is
gaining traction in Egypt where thousands came to watch the
strong men wearing face paint do battle in Ismailia.
The program was run by Ashraf Mahrous, the 37-year-old founder
of the Egyptian Arab Federation of Professional Wrestlers.
The martial arts coach learned about pro wrestling from watching
American, European and Japanese wrestlers on TV. He started
organizing matches in 2013, he said, but it was only about two
years ago that large audiences of more than 1,000 people started
showing up.
He says he funds the wrestling program from his own savings,
hoping the program can become profitable and also more
international once he has found a sponsor. Entrance is free.
"The dream of my life is to go international," said Mahrous who
also goes by his nickname Captain Ashraf Kapunga.
Momen Hassan Ali, a wrestler nicknamed "al-Magnoun," meaning
"the crazy one", said a day of training starts around 7:30 a.m.
and doesn't finish before the Maghrib prayer, which takes place
right after sunset.
The wrestlers performing in Friday's match were all men, but the
program is the first in Egypt to also allow women to
participate.
"Girls of Egypt can do anything," said 22-year-old Aya Hanid,
one of the female wrestlers. "Not just get a degree and then get
married and stay at home."
(Writing by Lena Masri; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Patrick
Johnston)
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