The famed “King of Bullfighters” sustained severe rectal injuries on Monday during a bullfight in Seville, Spain, after a charging bull attacked him.
Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla was performing at the Maestranza Arena when he was gored in front of many spectators. The incident was reported on Wednesday.
Video clips captured the moment a bullfighter was seriously injured. His expression revealed his agony, and his vibrant blue outfit showed signs of damage.
Following the incident, Morante underwent surgery and shared, “I experienced intense pain and felt really frightened seeing the bull approach while thinking, well, I’m bleeding.” He felt somewhat relieved upon arriving at the hospital and discovering there was less blood than expected. Yet, he described it as “the most painful stabbing ever.”
Although Morante has had numerous injuries in his career, this instance involving a bull named Clandestino was notably severe. Medical confirmation indicated a 10cm injury with damage to the anal area, partially affecting the sphincter, and a rectal perforation. Specialists noted it was a serious but not life-threatening injury.
In the midst of a successful return to the ring following a shocking retirement last year, Morante, whose full name is José Antonio Morante Camacho, is considered by many as one of the greatest bullfighters of his generation.
Further videos showed the bullfighter addressing the situation from his hospital room.
According to reports, the 46-year-old had successfully dealt with three bulls before the fourth one lunged unexpectedly, forcing him to abandon his cloak and retreat.
Another video captured the sequence of events leading to the injury, showing Morante collapsing to the ground.
Morante described his condition as painful, mentioning he was unable to sleep and had lost his appetite. However, he expressed hope about recovering, “Well, I’m looking to get through this with a bit of patience.”
As for the history of bullfighting, it has various influences and traditions that have existed for thousands of years.
