Ivan Fandiño was a well-known matador who was admired for his bravery in bullfighting. Hailing from the Basque country, Fandiño often took on bulls that others found too risky. However, his passion for this dangerous sport led to his tragic end.
In 2017, Fandiño participated in a bullfighting festival in Aire-sur-l’Adour, located in southwest France. During the event, he got entangled in his cloak and fell, which resulted in a bull goring him. The bull weighed half a ton and caused severe injuries.
After being removed from the ring, Fandiño was in critical condition, bleeding heavily. He was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack and did not survive. Reportedly, on the way to the hospital, Fandiño said, “Hurry up, I’m dying.” His internal organs, including his lungs, were severely damaged by the bull’s attack.
A fellow matador, Juan del Alamo, who later confronted the bull, expressed disbelief at the incident. He stated, “I can’t believe it. None of us understand how it could have happened; it was all so fast.” The bull had knocked Fandiño down, leading to his fall face down.
Prior to this fatal event, Fandiño had experienced injuries in bullfights before. In 2015, he was thrown into the air by a bull in Spain, and in 2016, he was left unconscious in Bayonne, France. Fandiño was the first matador to die in France since 1921, when another matador lost his life in the arena.
The practice of bullfighting is a subject of controversy, with many considering it cruel. Despite this, it remains a part of cultural heritage in some regions. The Spanish royal family paid tribute to Fandiño, with King Felipe acknowledging him as a significant figure in bullfighting.
Bullfighting continues to be a debated tradition, with around 1,000 bulls losing their lives annually in France. In 2010, Catalonia voted for a ban, but it was overturned in 2016, citing cultural significance.