Rafael Gómez Ortega
Rafael Gómez Ortega | |
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![]() Rafael Gómez "Gallito" Ortega in a "monumental pass" given to his first bullfight on October 8, 1912 in Madrid | |
Born | [1] | June 16, 1882
Died | May 25, 1960[1] Seville, Spain | (aged 77)
Resting place | San Fernando Cemetery, Spain |
Nationality | Spaniard |
Other names | Gallito, El Gallo (The Rooster) and Divine Bald |
Occupation | bullfighter |
Spouse | Pastora Imperio (1911-1912) |
Parents |
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Relatives | José Gómez Ortega (brother) and Fernando Gómez Ortega (brother) |
Family | Familia Gallo |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2014) |
Template:Spanish name Rafael Gómez Ortega, (July 16, 1882 – May 25, 1960) also known as El Gallo ("the rooster") was an early twentieth century bullfighter. He came from a family of famous bullfighters, including his matador father, Fernando Gómez García and matador younger brother, José Gómez Ortega. He is today remembered for several of his unique fighting techniques such as the espantada - or "sudden flight", which simply consisted of him fleeing when the bull entered the ring.[2] Other techniques included fighting bulls from a chair.
His fights were considered amusing to audiences, and he was brought out of retirement seven times because of this "sportsmanship". In his last fight, in October 1918, he claimed he spared the bull because it "winked" at him. The audience again felt this was hilarious, but Ortega's brother, José (also known as "Joselito El Gallo"), concerned about the family honor, hopped into the ring and killed the bull. He finally retired on October 4, 1936.[3] Commentators find that his intermittent fear of the bulls was characteristic of his style, noting that he was often brave when it suited him, and gave in to panic at others.[3]
Ortega later wasted his fortune, and was supported by Juan Belmonte. He was married to Pastora Imperio, a famous flamenco dancer.
References
- ^ a b Bayort, Jesús (2019-03-05). "Rafael Gómez Ortega «el Gallo»" (in Spanish). Madrid: ABC. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- ^ Juan-José López Burniol (2016-01-29). "La 'espantá'" [The 'scare'] (in Spanish). Barcelona: La Vanguardia. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
Cuando veía que no podía dominar al toro, daba la espantá. Yo he sido siempre un hombre lógico. Estaba delante del toro y veía que me iba a coger, porque cuando los toros van a coger, avisan. Hay un presentimiento. Y si sabes que el toro te va a coger, ¿te vas a quedar delante de él? Por supuesto que no. Y ahí está el porqué de la - espantá (translates to "When I saw that I could not dominate the bull, I was terrified. I have always been a logical man. I was in front of the bull and saw that he was going to charge, because when the bulls are going to charge at you, they warn you. You can feel it. And if you know that the bull is going to charge at you, are you going to stay in front of him? Of course not. And there is the reason for the scare.")
- ^ a b José Luis Ramón Carrión, "Rafael Gómez Ortega", Diccionario Biográfico, Real Academia de la Historia
External links