May 7, 1999
The comparatively minor goring that Julian López "E Juli" suffered during the spring fair in Sevilla might have actually served as a wake-up call for a far more serious condition. In fact, there is a terrible possibility that, like a shooting star that shines brightly for only a split second, then dies, leaving no race of its prior brilliance, the celebrated, 17-year-old Spanish matador may be forced to retire from the rings.
The ring surgeons who had operated on El Juli's goring had pronounced the wound menos grave. But, during the torero's stay in the hospital, doctors became concerned about a tossing that the youngster had suffered, a few months ago, in South America. A bull had picked up the young torero and dumped him, unceremoniously, upon his head. Many spectators feared that El Juli had broken his neck, and might end up in a wheelchair, as has been the case of several of his compatriots. They were relieved when the baby-faced matador was able to get up and walk. But, since that near tragedy, El Juli has suffered severe pain in his neck and back. Except while performing in the arena, he has worn a brace on his neck.
So, while in the hospital in Sevilla, El Juli's doctors became concerned about his neck injury and refused to allow him to perform, until they were certain that he recovered. As a result, he had to cancel his campaign in Mexico, including, of course, last Sunday's corrida in Tijuana.
At last report, El Juli, who has been released from the hospital and returned to his home in Madrid, was scheduled to endure a series of medical tests, including an MRI, to determine the full extent of his injuries.
If the tests should demonstrate that El Juli should not be allowed to resume his brilliant career, such would be a tragedy for everybody, especially the matador. Never has this observer seen any young torero who possessed the brand of natural talent of Julian López "El Juli." If he is allowed to continue his career, history may recognize him as one of the greatest, possibly the greatest matador of all times. If not, those who have marveled at his courage and artistry will remember him as a wonderful torero, whose career was tragically cut short.
In the meantime, the spring fair in Sevilla, certainly one of the most beautiful of the Iberian Peninsula, has concluded.
Probably the biggest news event from the fair was that of Jesulín de Ubrique, who announced his retirement from the rings. Known as a torero of the somewhat tremendistic style, Ubrique's promoters had engineered a publicity campaign that would make any American politician green with envy. At times, the matador performed for audiences exclusively of women. He became more of a symbol of sex than one of taurine artistry. But, the 25-year-old matador had lost his passion for toreo, and decided —as had his counterpart, Joselito, two years earlier— that it was time to hang it up.
Tragedy was much in evidence during the feria. Matadores Domingo Valderrama and Manuel Caballero suffered life-threatening gorings, while El Juli received a far less serious brush with the horns. Also gored gravely was Banderillo Alejandro Escobar.
Curro Romero, at 67 years of age, surprised everybody except his fantastically loyal supporters by cutting a pair of ears. Espartaco, who recently returned from retirement, also cut two ears. Morante de La Puebla turned in a great afternoon, cutting three ears, as did El Juli.
The triunfador of the fair was Morante de La Puebla, who received 28 out of 30 votes. Performing from horseback, Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza cut ears and tail, and was named the best rejoneador of the fair. It was the first tail to be cut in Plaza de la Maestranza in 28 years.
Emilio Muñoz won the accolades for having performed the best faena, while Enrique Ponce captured honors for the best sword placement. And, the best herd of bulls in the spring fair was from the ranch of Don José Cebada Gago, for the encierro presented on April 12.
A reception was held, last week, in the taurine art museum of Plaza de Las Ventas, of Madrid, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the ranch of Miura. The ranch has the reputation for breeding very brave, yet difficult bulls. It was the Miura bull, Islero, that killed Manolete in 1947.
Some matadores, such as Fermín Murillo, based their careers on facing Miura bulls.
Question of The Week: When
and in what city was the first tail awarded in Mexican bullfighting?
Submit your responses to Bullfight World, c/o La Prensa
San Diego. The winner's name will be published here.
The next Tijuana corrida de toros will be celebrated May 16. The card will, reportedly, featured Fernando Ochoa, Jorge Gutierrez and Uriel Moreno "El Zapata," facing a sextet of bulls from a ranch yet to be announced.