Veteran Matador Gored in Shocking Madrid Bullfight Incident
A disturbing incident during a bullfight in Madrid left veteran matador Serafín Marín, 42, severely injured after being gored by a bull on March 24, 2024. The event took place at Las Ventas, Spain’s largest bullring, where Marín was performing a traditional Verónica pass when the bull unexpectedly charged, lifting him off the ground with its horn.
As captured in video footage, the bull threw Marín into the air before tossing him headfirst onto the ground in front of approximately 8,000 spectators. Fellow bullfighters quickly intervened, using their capes to distract the bull and prevent further injury. Marín was subsequently rushed to a hospital in Madrid, where medical staff treated an alarming 11-inch gash in his right thigh.
In an interview from his hospital bed, Marín shared that he was unaware of the severity of his injury until after the incident. “I didn’t realize I had been gored until I entered the infirmary, but I was very dazed and dizzy from the blow to the head,” he stated. “It was tremendous. I was bleeding a lot.”
Marín had been preparing for the bullfighting season throughout the year and described feeling “completely caught off guard” when the bull charged. “The bull took the cape well, even galloping, which is why I was completely caught off guard and unable to react. He caught me in the third cape pass; when he reached me, he went for me,” he explained.
The matador expressed a profound sense of loss regarding the incident, noting, “You see all the effort and sacrifice go down the drain in a second, and it’s all gone. That’s what hurts the most, much more than the goring.” Despite the serious nature of his injury, Marín remains optimistic about returning to the ring in the future. “I’ll have to wait another year so the fans can see that I still have a lot to say in bullfighting,” he assured.
This latest incident follows the tragic death of young matador Manuel Maria Trindade, 22, who was gored by a 1,500-pound bull last month during a performance at the Campo Pequeno bullring in Lisbon. Such incidents continue to highlight the inherent dangers of bullfighting, raising questions about the safety measures in place for participants in this traditional sport.
As the bullfighting community reflects on these events, the resilience and dedication of matadors like Marín remains evident, even in the face of serious injury.
