YouTubeA Spanish matador has become the first bullfighter to die in the ring since 1985 after he was gored in the chest live on TV when the 87 stone bull caught him off guard.
Victor Barrio, 29, was one of Spain’s best current bullfighters, and had tried to attract the bull with what is known as a muletazo manoever, but when the bull made a quick and unexpected left turn, one of its horns pierced Barrio’s chest and the bull sent him hurtling to the ground.
The bull then gored him in the chest yet again before it was eventually chased away, however it was too late, reports Yahoo.
WARNING DISTRESSING FOOTAGE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPY5vBPnbGw
Victor was carried out of the ring but was pronounced dead almost immediately.
As expected, the arena in Teruel was full of spectators who had come out to watch the award winning bullfighter – including his wife – all of whom were horrified by the unexpected turn of events.
Just six days ago, Victor took to Twitter to share a picture of him training with the caption ‘With the mind set on Teruel’.
Con la mente puesta en #Teruel #FeriaDelAngel #Sábado #9J #SeguimosAvanzando #TVMadrid #TVCasillaLaMancha pic.twitter.com/87bW56e2E5
— ProgramaVíctorBarrio (@BarrioVictor) July 4, 2016
Victor is the first bullfighter to die in the ring since the turn of the century. Back in 1985, Jose Cubero Sanchez was gored in the heart and died instantly after he replaced another matador at the last minute.
As Ernest Hemingway once said:
Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter’s honor.
Since 1700 over 534 professional bullfighters have died, however the The World Society for the Protection of Animals estimates that around 40,000 bulls are killed every year in European bullfights alone.
Is it culture or just brutality?
