Bullfighter Dies in Debut, Sparking Debate on Ethics of Portuguese Touradas

A 22-year-old bullfighter, Manuel Maria Trindade, tragically lost his life after being gored during his debut performance in Portugal. The incident occurred at Lisbon's Campo Pequeno arena, witnessed by approximately 7,000 spectators. The young forcado was impaled by the horns of a 695kg bull. Paramedics immediately attended to him, transporting him to Sao Jose Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma. Sadly, he succumbed to cardiac arrest hours later.

Adding to the tragedy, a 73-year-old spectator, reportedly an orthopedic surgeon, collapsed after witnessing the event and later died from a fatal aortic aneurysm. The video of the bull's attack on the young bullfighter has circulated online, reigniting discussions about the ethics of bullfighting.

Portuguese touradas, a form of bullfighting, are often presented as more humane than the Spanish corrida de toros. Unlike the Spanish version, Portuguese rules strictly forbid the killing of the bull in the ring. This has contributed to Portuguese bullfighting being viewed as a more acceptable version of the controversial sport.

In Portuguese touradas, forcados, who are unarmed, confront the bull with their bare hands, without any protective gear or weapons. The final stage involves the "face catch," or pega de cara, where a team of forcados work together to subdue the charging bull using their combined strength. The leader attempts to grab the bull's horns while the team members assist in bringing the animal down. Cavaleiros on horseback use lances to provoke the bull earlier in the performance, but these are not intended to kill.