Madrid Review – October 11, 2026
13 de October de 2026
*Photos by: Alfredo Arévalo Plaza 1
Israel Guirao has won the 14th edition of Camino hacia Las Ventas after being awarded an ear in the final held in Madrid, where his outstanding natural bullfighting stood out.
The Las Ventas bullring hosted the grand final of the 14th edition of Camino hacia Las Ventas, a competition for young bullfighters performing with young bulls without picadors. Three aspiring bullfighters took part, each hoping to secure the overall victory. Israel Guirao, a pupil at the Navas del Rey-Valencia Bullfighting School, delivered the most memorable performance of the afternoon and was ultimately crowned the winner after being awarded an ear from the fifth novillo.
The Guadajira novillos produced mixed performances, although there were several moments of quality bullfighting in front of a lively crowd. Guirao found the right conditions in his second opponent to demonstrate his style and deliver the most outstanding performance of the contest.
Israel Guirao immediately demonstrated confidence and versatility with the cape, showing composure against both novillos in his allocation. However, it was his performance against the fifth novillo that ultimately secured his victory in the final.
The young novillero made the most of an animal with good qualities, whose charges were rhythmic and lively. His performance centred on composure, linked passes and control of the bull’s movement. He guided the novillo with depth and precision, particularly when working from the right-hand side.
The finest moments came when he switched to his left hand. Through natural passes, performed without the aid of the sword’s muleta on the other side, the Valencian bullfighter produced beautifully linked sequences of long, flowing muletazos that captivated the crowd. His ability to maintain the rhythm of the performance and make the most of the young bull’s qualities revealed a level of maturity beyond what might normally be expected at this early stage of a bullfighter’s career.
A closing sequence of bernadinas added intensity to the performance before Guirao delivered an effective sword thrust. The crowd’s demand for a trophy was strong, and the president of the bullring awarded him an ear, confirming him as the competition’s winner.
His first appearance had also featured some promising passages, with low, commanding muletazos. However, difficulties with the sword ultimately cost him the chance of a more rewarding result.
Marco Peláez, representing the Colmenar Viejo Bullfighting School, produced his best work with the third novillo of the afternoon. After demonstrating variety with the cape, he found his rhythm with the muleta and built a solid performance, particularly when working with his right hand.
He also produced some noteworthy natural passes, guiding the bull cleanly and using the flowing movement of the muleta to give his work greater expression. His approach showed individuality and included several moments that earned the crowd’s appreciation.
A well-executed sword thrust, followed by the use of the descabello to finish the animal, preceded the ovation he received from the ring. In his second appearance, he faced the least cooperative novillo of the entire group, which offered fewer opportunities for quality bullfighting.
Joaquín Manzur, representing Citar, completed the line-up in the final. He was unable to establish a strong connection with the crowd in either of his appearances and received silence from the stands on both occasions, with a warning issued each time.
Israel Guirao therefore emerged as the leading name of the 14th edition of Camino hacia Las Ventas. His ability to understand and interpret the fifth novillo’s charges, together with the quality of his natural bullfighting, proved decisive in an afternoon that once again placed the spotlight on the next generation of bullfighters.
Event: Final of the 14th edition of the Camino hacia Las Ventas competition for young bullfighters performing without picadors. Overall winner: Israel Guirao, from the Navas del Rey-Valencia Bullfighting School.
Guadajira. Young bulls (erales) for novilleros performing without picadors.
Silence after a warning; silence after a warning.
Silence after two warnings; one ear.
Ovation after a warning; silence.
Images: Alfredo Arévalo Plaza 1
Specialists in bullfighting communication, information and promotion.
