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Up Close with Gotham Girls Roller Derby

Photos by Molly Flores 6/25/2019Updated 11/4/2019

Gotham Girls Roller Derby, the flat-track league that operates in the City, is the best of its kind; NYC’s all-stars have won more titles than any other team in the nation. The league is made up of four local teams—the Bronx Gridlock, Brooklyn Bombshells, Manhattan Mayhem and Queens of Pain—whose skaters compete in hard-hitting matches before cheering crowds and sport colorful derby names like Annie Mergency and Kid Vicious. We met some of the athletes at a recent practice and subsequent bout, where we learned the difference between a jammer and a blocker—and what it takes to win in the toughest roller derby league in the world.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Scrimmage

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Jeerleaders

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Scrimmage

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Jeerleader

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Scrimmage

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Manhattan Mayhem

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Scrimmage

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Game

Photo: Molly Flores

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Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Scrimmage

Photo: Molly Flores

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