Lively Main Gate for the Novillero Julio Norte

Boisterous could be synonymous with rowdy, troublemaker, triumphant and, above all, modern. That is how it is, the Puerta Grande of the Salamanca novice bullfighter Julio Norte has been a faithful reflection of current bullfighting, which consists of giving many muletazos, all accelerated, with little order and harmony, mostly opportunistic, and which seems to entertain the audience attending the bullrings so much.

Read more The evidence cornering Jonathan Andic: three previous visits to Montserrat, a missing phone, and a change of will

Boisterous could also be synonymous with superficial, because one should now ask how many moments of the young Norte’s performance have remained in the memory. In other words, whether that Puerta Grande has passed beyond the Ventas metro station or not.

But, well, let it be noted that this bullfighter has talent; skill, courage, and the desire to become someone dressed in lights; that is, he is adorned with basic and admirable qualities that only a few aspiring to glory possess.

Today he made his debut at Las Ventas and arrived as a novice bullfighter should: ready to conquer the ring. He received his two novice bulls with long knee-changes in the third, gracefully performed the verónica, participated in quites, and took the muleta with visible determination.

He struggled to silence the protests about the very poor appearance of his first novice bull, a real sardine, but he managed it with initial statuesque poses and a solid performance, not always accompanied by the most orthodox positioning. After a final close pass and a low sword thrust, he was awarded an undeserved ear that he did not merit.

The picador Alberto Sandoval shone in the first third of the last novice bull, which came quickly to the horse but did not fight. Julio Norte dedicated his performance to the audience and faced the most greedy animal of the afternoon, very mobile, which allowed him to give many passes in a long work on the right hand because in the only series with the left he suffered a tremendous somersault with no consequences other than a heavy fall to the ground. The bullfighter seemed more concerned about his connection with the audience than the depth of his muletazos; it is true, however, that the stands vibrated with Norte’s dedication, spirit, and determination. He went off on shoulders towards Alcalá street and hopefully it will serve him for his future.

For his part, Mario Vilau, Catalan by birth, ended up in the infirmary with a serious goring on his left thigh after leaving a good impression with his first, a novice bull as gentle as soft, without breed or character, with which he showed skill and good concept. He drew long and deep naturales and revealed a sense of connection, although the lame condition of the novice bull prevented the emotion from emerging. He killed very well with a great sword thrust and carried a well-deserved trophy. He could do nothing against the very slow fifth that left him with the memory of a goring when he called him with the left and the novice bull lifted him while inserting the horn into his thigh. Both were received on their knees in front of the bull pen door, a proof of their good spirit.

Read more How did the ‘Plus Ultra case’ originate?

And the Peruvian Pedro Luis has reasons to be angry. His lot was the dullest of the event, calm and very sad the first, and boring the fourth. He showed good manners with the deceits, is elegant, a bit cold, perhaps, and did not quite leave the good impression that was expected of him. He lacked command and, especially, killed his second novice bull very badly after an endless performance. It is not understood how no one from the alley told him to finish once and for all. He heard two warnings, which is a strong penalty, more than enough reason to be angry.