Introduction:
Ivan Fandiño, a renowned 36-year-old matador from the Basque country, tragically lost his life while doing what he loved—bullfighting. Known for his fearless approach to dangerous bulls, Fandiño’s passion for the sport ultimately led to his untimely death. The chilling circumstances surrounding his death during a bullfighting festival in France stunned the bullfighting world.
The Fatal Incident:
In 2017, Fandiño was performing at the Aire-sur-l’Adour bullfighting festival in southwest France. During the fight, he became tangled in his cloak and fell to the ground. At that moment, a half-ton bull gored him with tremendous force. As Fandiño was taken out of the ring, he was bleeding heavily, and emergency services rushed him to the hospital. However, despite their efforts, Fandiño suffered a heart attack and passed away on the way.
As he was being transported, Fandiño’s final words were reportedly, “Hurry up, I’m dying.” His internal organs, including his lungs, had been severely damaged by the bull’s attack.
The Speed of the Tragedy:
Matador Juan del Alamo, who later killed the bull responsible for Fandiño’s death, described the incident as a shocking and tragic moment. “I can’t believe it. None of us understand how it could have happened; it was all so fast. The bull knocked him down with its hindquarters, and he fell face down,” said del Alamo, still in disbelief over the speed of the attack.
A History of Injuries:
Before this fatal incident, Fandiño had already experienced several injuries in the arena. In 2015, he was thrown into the air by a bull in Spain, and the following year, he was left unconscious in Bayonne, France. These close calls were a part of the dangerous life Fandiño chose as a matador, where risks were ever-present.
A Legacy and the Controversy of Bullfighting:
Fandiño’s death marked the first time in nearly a century that a matador had died in France, with the last recorded death in 1921. Bullfighting continues to be a deeply divisive and controversial practice, with critics decrying its cruelty. Despite these protests, Spain has officially recognized bullfighting as a “cultural heritage,” although the Catalan regional government banned it in 2010—an action overturned by Spain’s constitutional court in 2016.
Following Fandiño’s passing, he was honored by both the Spanish royal family and the prime minister. King Felipe paid tribute to him, calling him a “great bullfighter figure.”
Matador Ivan Fandiño/ LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images
Conclusion:
The tragic and untimely death of Ivan Fandiño serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in bullfighting. His final words, combined with his legacy as a courageous and dedicated matador, will forever mark his place in the history of the sport. Whether one views bullfighting as an art or a brutal spectacle, Fandiño’s passing is a poignant moment that will not be forgotten.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.
