Borja Jiménez, a bullfighter multi-awarded by followers and never all the time acknowledged by bullfighting folks | The bull, by the horns | Culture | EUROtoday

The case of Borja Jiménez (Espartinas, Seville, 33 years outdated) is extraordinary on this planet of bullfighting. Since his resounding triumph on October 8, 2023 in Las Ventas towards Victorino Martín’s bulls, later endorsed by a profitable marketing campaign in 2024, he has traveled extra kilometers to gather prizes than to decorate in lights. This is acknowledged by the bullfighter himself, who assures that this winter he doesn’t cease touring, that he goes to a few or 4 tentaderos each week and nonetheless has time so as to add recognition and dedicate a number of hours to bullfighting. “My parents are crazy,” he provides, “they no longer know where to put so many trophies.” To these from final winter, which had been quite a few, he has added about 25 that already seem on the household shelf, and he nonetheless has nearly a dozen left that he’ll accumulate when he returns from his American marketing campaign.

Ask. It just isn’t very regular to obtain so many tributes.

Answer. It just isn’t quite common, it’s true; That is why I’m very grateful to all of the golf equipment, as a result of it’s what I’ve sought all my life: to be at gala’s, to struggle and to be acknowledged on this approach. The humorous factor is that additionally they give me prizes in locations the place I have never bullfighted, which could be very good.

P. You know that reward is debilitating.

R. It is determined by your perspective. If you consider them, you’re misplaced; You begin to slack off and suppose that a lot depth just isn’t needed as a result of they let you know that you’re superb. That is the downfall in any occupation, and much more so in that of a bullfighter. Praise ought to function motivation and recognition that you’re doing nicely, and nothing extra.

P. But somebody will put his toes on the bottom…

R. I do not want it, truthfully. I belong to a household that has educated me very nicely and has taught me values ​​which are elementary in life. I’m conscious that it is a very tough occupation, and that you could lose every part in case you are distracted for a single second. I’m very clear that I have to proceed to sacrifice to realize my objectives.

It just isn’t regular to obtain so many tributes; The curious factor is that they offer me prizes in locations the place I’ve not fought.”

P. Would you select a particular award amongst all these acquired?

R. The RNE Golden Ear is a really important award as a result of it encompasses the whole season, in competitors with the highest bullfighting figures. Being acknowledged because the winner of the yr is essential for my profession and makes me really feel very happy with myself as a result of I’ve achieved every part primarily based on many hours of labor.

P. From what you say, you’ve been completely happy dressed as a bullfighter.

R. In many moments I’ve been very completely happy, sure. Bullfighting is difficult, however there have been bulls that I’ve loved. Certainly, that is the lifestyle I like; My best happiness is bullfighting, and if a bull means that you can attain some extent of ecstasy, and I’ve achieved this a number of instances this season, that’s the best satisfaction.

P. You will then be capable to select one of many particular moments.

R. Among a number of I’d select the Puerta Grande in Madrid on June 7, with the Victoriano del Río bullfight. Two days earlier than I used to be not nicely with Victorino Martín’s bulls, and I acquired criticism that affected me quite a bit. I used to be pressured to vary my mindset; Maybe that is why, once I killed the primary bull, tears got here to my eyes, as a result of I had been capable of flip the scenario round. And I bear in mind one other emotional second: the morning of my first bullfight on the Salamanca honest. I wakened and cried inconsolably. I remembered my arrival in that metropolis, two and a half years earlier than, not realizing if I may struggle a single bullfight. At that point I used to be working, and I left every part to present my life to bullfighting and begin over. I cried with emotion, which is without doubt one of the most stunning issues that exist.

P. It is logical to suppose that Victorino’s bullfight in Madrid has not been forgotten.

R. No. I had triumphed the earlier yr with this run and the concept was floating within the air that it was my obligation to repeat the feat. And it was not doable. I acquired a actuality verify concerning the issue of succeeding in Madrid and doing it with these bulls. That afternoon made me mirror, and I believe that from then on I started to develop as a bullfighter.

P. Have you felt that corporations additionally provide the consideration that followers acknowledge you as a determine?

R. On some events, sure, however it isn’t simple in any respect. I do not prefer to complain, and I did not do it, even once I wasn’t bullfighting. I believe every part has its second. If they do not need to now, the time will come when they are going to.

P. But are there many corporations that ‘do not need to’?

R. Well, that is what normally occurs in negotiations at some gala’s. Some corporations give you the place you’ve earned within the enviornment, and others take extra work. But I’m satisfied that my path is right, and, in the end, I’ll have my reward.

P. By the best way, has a lot effort been financially compensated for you?

R. It have to be taken into consideration that I had earned a wage between 1,200 and 1,400 euros monthly. Yes, I’ve seen the distinction, however cash, and I say this truthfully, just isn’t my precedence.

My strategy for 2025 is to proceed coaching many hours and have a spot in robust posters”

P. At least, he might be acknowledged as a greater bullfighter than in 2023.

R. I believe so. I’ve acquired extra ability, I’ve seen an evolution and extra regularity to specific my bullfighting in entrance of a higher variety of bulls.

P. You proceed with Julián Guerra, your lawyer.

R. Yes, we all know one another very nicely and the belief is mutual. Julián tells me concerning the negotiations at this or that honest and asks me for my opinion, and I all the time reply the identical factor: conform to what you contemplate applicable. My accountability is within the ring, and yours within the places of work.

P. And they are going to have already designed the scheme for subsequent season.

R. My strategy is to coach many hours and have a spot within the robust posters at gala’s.

P. Does ‘robust posters’ imply the consolation of the figures?

R. I don’t forget that Victorino Martín’s livestock is the one which recovered me from oblivion, and, clearly, I want to take care of it in some locations. It is essential for followers that there’s a number of inserts.

P. By the best way, what adjustments have occurred within the particular person of Borja Jiménez from his years of pressured unemployment to at the moment’s profitable stage?

R. None. The lifestyle has modified, the journeys, the coaching, the temptations… But I guarantee you that I’m the identical particular person.