A teenage bullfighter described in local reports as 16, Manuel Real — known in the ring as “Realito” — was declared the winner of the Circuit of the Becerredas Grand Final held in Lucena, Córdoba, on Sept. 7, receiving two ears and a tail from judges and being carried out of the ring on spectators’ shoulders.
The event, part of a regional circuit in Andalucía for apprentice matadors known as becerristas, drew a full house to the municipal bullring. Judges awarded Manuel a total of 47 points for a performance local coverage described as daring; the runner-up and third place were Pablo Sánchez and Rojeli Pajuelo, respectively. Competitors at the final had been whittled down from 30 entrants representing bullfighting academies across southern Spain.
Becerradas are amateur events in which trainees fight younger bulls, typically under two years old. The contest is structured in stages: the animal is first fatigued by capes and assistants; banderilleros then place barbed sticks known as banderillas; and the apprentice performs the faena, a series of cape passes culminating in the kill. Judges score on artistry, style, bravery and the perceived cleanliness of the kill, and the crowd may influence decisions by calling for awards signaled with handkerchiefs. The traditional trophies for an exemplary performance are one or two ears and occasionally a tail, which the matador parades in a victory lap.
Organizers and local officials framed the final as a continuation of a regional tradition. The mayor of Lucena, Aurelio García, told attendees the municipality would host the event again next year. Supporters at the ring included spectators of all ages; some sang or unfurled banners in tribute to the competitors, while winning fighters were carried through the arena in the customary Puerta Grande exit.
Bullfighting remains a divisive cultural practice in Spain. Polling reported by El Mundo in April showed broad public ambivalence: a Sigma Dos survey cited by the newspaper found 78% of respondents said they were not fans of bullfighting, but only 48% supported stripping the activity of its protected cultural-heritage status. Support varies by political affiliation, with higher backing among voters of right-wing parties, including Vox and the conservative Partido Popular, according to the poll.
Animal-rights groups criticized the becerradas circuit and the involvement of minors. Javier Sanabria, national secretary of the animal-rights party PACMA, told the Daily Mail that becerradas are “even more controversial because they are performed on animals that are babies” and called the practice “the ultimate cruelty.” Sanabria also said that bullfighting in Spain benefits from political and public subsidies that he argued sustain the industry.
Proponents and long-time attendees defended the events as cultural tradition and an economic contributor to local communities. Juan Ruiz, 74, told the Daily Mail that bullfighting provides jobs and helps preserve breeds of fighting bulls, and said spectators who oppose the practice should simply refrain from attending.
Training pathways for aspiring matadors are formalized in Spain. Young students, often starting in their early teens and frequently from families with bullfighting backgrounds, attend escuelas taurinas (bullfighting schools) to learn posture, cape technique and ring etiquette. Andalucía currently hosts dozens of such schools — local reporting identified 31 in the region — with several hundred students enrolled.
Most apprentices progress from becerradas to novilladas, where they face older animals and must perform the final kill; successful novilleros may then take the alternativa, a ceremony that ordains them professional matadors and allows them to seek paid bookings. Early-career fighters typically earn modest fees, reported at roughly €1,000 to €3,000 per fight, while leading professionals can command substantially higher sums. Internationally known figures such as Andrés Roca Rey are cited in reports as examples of matadors who have achieved considerable earnings and public profiles.
Safety risks for participants are a continuing concern. This month, reports from Portugal detailed the death of a 22-year-old forcado, Manuel Maria Trindade, who was fatally gored during a debut performance in Lisbon. Footage from another recent competition in Spain showed Joao D’Alva thrown and seriously injured during an encounter. Media coverage and industry sources note that only a small percentage of students at academies ultimately become professional matadors, in part because of the physical danger and the difficulty of securing paid engagements.
Critics also point to the way young fighters may pay to gain ring time and exposure, arguing that apprentices assume serious risk for limited reward. Organizers and trainers, however, say that the circuit provides essential experience and a pipeline for talent, and that judges and senior professionals work to keep competitors as safe as possible during events.
The debate over bullfighting’s future in Spain continues at national and local levels. In recent years, cultural and welfare considerations have led to policy changes, including the abolition last year of a €30,000 annual national bullfighting award. Meanwhile, local governments where right-leaning parties have regained control have sought to restore or protect bullfighting activities and overturn bans imposed earlier.
As the season proceeds, regional circuits such as the Becerredas continue to attract both supporters and critics, with young apprentices seeking advancement and animal-rights groups calling for wider restrictions. The Lucena final underlined both the endurance of the practice in parts of Andalucía and the persistent tensions around its place in contemporary Spanish culture.