Professional Matador. Juan Belmonte was a Spanish matador, who was credited with killing 1,650 fighting bulls according to "Sports Illustrated" magazine. He was said to have remarkable physical prowess and an innovative style that put him just inches away from the bull. His chief rival was another matador, José Gomez Ortega, who was recognized by the professional name of "Joselito." Both of them are credited with revolutionizing bullfighting and creating the standards by which all other bullfighters are judged. With him participating on the same day in the ring, that rivalry ended when Joselito was fatally gored by a bull on May 16, 1920. Belmonte retired three times during his career, first in 1922 then again in 1934, yet his real retirement came in 1936 at the age of 44. He had a successful career with hefty earnings. By this time, he had been gored and slashed numerous times with 24 of the injuries being serious. In his later years, he became a successful bull breeder with a vast ranch. After being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, which limited his activities for some years including horseback riding, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Professional Matador. Juan Belmonte was a Spanish matador, who was credited with killing 1,650 fighting bulls according to "Sports Illustrated" magazine. He was said to have remarkable physical prowess and an innovative style that put him just inches away from the bull. His chief rival was another matador, José Gomez Ortega, who was recognized by the professional name of "Joselito." Both of them are credited with revolutionizing bullfighting and creating the standards by which all other bullfighters are judged. With him participating on the same day in the ring, that rivalry ended when Joselito was fatally gored by a bull on May 16, 1920. Belmonte retired three times during his career, first in 1922 then again in 1934, yet his real retirement came in 1936 at the age of 44. He had a successful career with hefty earnings. By this time, he had been gored and slashed numerous times with 24 of the injuries being serious. In his later years, he became a successful bull breeder with a vast ranch. After being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, which limited his activities for some years including horseback riding, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Bio by: r77ortiz
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