A bullfighter has been gored in the face by a bull after the half-tonne animal knocked her to the ground.
Mexican matador Hilda Tenorio was rushed to hospital after suffering severe facial injuries in the Mexican city of Puebla, with horrifying photographs showing her face covered in blood.
Tenorio had been facing the bull on her knees when the incident took place. She has reportedly since received treatment for the fracture of both her cheekbones as well as her upper jaw.
As reported by El Universal, this incident occurred at the ‘El Relicario’ bull ring as part of the Puebla Fair celebrations.
Footage shows the bull, named ‘Querido Viejo’, which translates in English as ‘My Dear Old Friend’.
You can watch the terrifying moment Tenorio was charged at and gored by the bull for yourself below:
Taking to social media, Tenorio updated her fans on her condition, and thanked them for their words of support:
I want to thank you all for your messages of support.
My injuries are very serious and I have not been able to sleep all night, sat up in bed because there was no other option.
The doctors have said my upper jaw is broken and my cheeks are fractured from my eye socket.
She jokingly added:
At least I’ll have a new platinum face, although I wish it was worth more, like the Grammys.
Prior to being injured, Tenorio had looked forward to returning to Puebla, tweeting:
I go back to #Puebla tomorrow … Plaza that represents a lot in my career and where I longed to return.
This is reportedly the second time the 32-year-old bullfighter has been gored by a bull. She reportedly suffered a facial wound when she was just 16, as reported by El Universal, which resulted in her requiring 80 stitches.
Some animal rights activists have taken the opportunity to criticize the controversial tradition of bullfighting, arguing that Tenorio has brought these injuries upon herself.
One person tweeted:
Hopefully this makes you understand that you are not brave, but murderous. And if not, do not save yourself from the next one.
Another said:
I’m sorry, but maybe now you feel how the poor animal must be at the moment you embed those crap.
It is now anticipated that Tenorio will take a six month break from bullfighting following her injuries.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.