Manuel Real, known as “Realito,” was declared the winner of the Circuit of the Becerredas Grand Final in Lucena, Córdoba, on Sept. 7 after judges awarded him two ears and a tail — honors reserved for the most highly regarded performances in the ring. The fighter, reported by local media to be 16, received a total of 47 points from a panel of teachers and professional matadors and was carried out of the arena on spectators’ shoulders following the ceremony.
The event in Andalucia, a region regarded as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, is part of a circuit for apprentice bullfighters known as becerristas who contest bouts against young bulls or calves. Daily Mail footage of the Lucena final showed a packed arena and the customary victory lap in which trophies such as ears or a tail are displayed to the crowd. Runner-up positions went to Pablo Sánchez of the Almería bullfighting school, who received one ear and 34.5 points, and Rojeli Pajuelo of the Ubrique school, who scored 33 points.
Organizers and participants described the Lucena final as the culmination of a series of qualifying rounds that narrowed an initial field of 30 competitors to six finalists. The becerradas circuit is intended as a training ground: students at regional bullfighting schools are introduced to posture, cape work and the rituals of the faena before advancing to novilladas, where they face older animals and are expected to kill the bull as part of the contest. Most students begin training in adolescence; local authorities and school officials say ages typically start around 12, though there are legal limits on minors under 16 fighting live bulls.
Bullfighting schools remain active in Andalucia, where advocates say the practice supports jobs, tourism and a livestock industry tied to fighting breeds. The region has about 31 training academies and roughly 400 students enrolled, according to reporting on the circuit. Supporters of the sport point to pathways that can lead to professional careers, and to examples of top matadors who earn substantial fees: contracts for rising stars can range from roughly €10,000 to €30,000 per event, while established figures have been reported to make far higher sums.
At the same time, the sport’s dangers were underscored this month by fatal and serious incidents in neighbouring Portugal and other Spanish events. Portuguese authorities said Manuel Maria Trindade, a 22-year-old forcado, was gored and later died after being thrown into an arena wall during a debut performance in Lisbon. Reporting also highlighted a separate incident at the 25th Golden Potter competition in Villaseca de la Sagra in which Joao D’Alva was thrown and required surgery for goring injuries. Organizers and medical staff have described such events as reminders of the physical risks that participants face.
Animal-welfare groups and some public-opinion polls show growing opposition to bullfighting. Javier Sanabria, national secretary of the anti-bullfighting party PACMA, called becerradas “the ultimate cruelty,” saying calves used in those events are often between six months and a year old and that inexperience among novice fighters can prolong animals’ suffering. Sanabria told the Daily Mail that the sport depends on public subsidies and political protection from regional right-wing administrations. "Bullfighting thrives on subsidies; without public money, bullfighting wouldn't exist," he said.
A separate poll by Sigma Dos for the newspaper El Mundo in April found that 78% of respondents said they were not fans of bullfighting, while 48% said they would support removing its status as protected cultural heritage. Support for the tradition remains politically divided: the survey showed higher backing among supporters of right-wing parties, with the highest levels of approval concentrated in the hard-right Vox party and the conservative Partido Popular.
Advocates and local officials at the Lucena event framed the circuit as part of regional identity and economic life. Mayor Aurelio García told the crowd he intended to hold the Becerradas event again next year. Longtime spectators described bullfighting as a tradition passed down through families and an element of local festivities, with some arguing that the breeding of toro bravo cattle depends on the continued popularity of public spectacles.
Training and career trajectories for young fighters are structured and gradual. Pupils typically move from school exercises to becerradas, then to novilladas, where a league system tracks ears and tails awarded during the season. Those who perform consistently may take part in the alternativa ceremony, after which they are recognized as professional matadors and may command larger fees. Until then, many apprentices fight without pay or even pay to compete for exposure and the chance of climbing the ranks.
The cultural dispute over bullfighting has produced legal and policy responses in recent years. Spain abolished a €30,000 national bullfighting award last year amid shifting social attitudes and animal-welfare concerns. Local governments controlled by parties favoring bullfighting have in some cases sought to reinstate or protect events, while other municipalities have maintained bans. Advocates for reform say the tension between tradition, public funding and evolving ethical standards will continue to shape debate over the practice.
Organizers of the Circuit of the Becerredas and bullfighting school representatives in Andalucia say training includes physical conditioning, historical study and preparation for public scrutiny. Critics counter that the participation of minors in events that can end in death for the animals raises legal and ethical questions. With high-profile incidents and shifting public opinion, the future of events such as the Lucena final remains contested even as young fighters continue to pursue careers that, for a small minority, can lead to national and international prominence.