Julio Norte's value opens the main gate in Madrid

h1>The Courage of Julio Norte, Puerta Grande in Madrid on a Bittersweet Afternoon for Vilau

The second novillada of San Isidro delivered one of those afternoons that perfectly sums up what Madrid means for a young bullfighter: glory, danger and constant examination. The courage of Julio Norte opened the Puerta Grande of Las Ventas in his Madrid debut, while Mario Vilau went from the joy of winning an ear to the bitter moment of suffering a goring just when he was giving everything in the ring.

The Fuente Ymbro novillada was uneven in presentation and behaviour, but it allowed important details to emerge from three young bullfighters with very different arguments. Norte conquered Madrid through courage and composure; Vilau left behind an afternoon full of commitment and quality bullfighting; and the Peruvian Pedro Luis showed firmness and good concept, although without fully breaking through.

Julio Norte conquers Madrid through courage

Julio Norte made an impact on the Madrid crowd from the very beginning. The fans found in the young Castilian a bullfighter willing to risk everything, but also capable of producing natural, long-flowing muletazos.

His first opponent, heavily protested for lacking presence, had mobility and nobility. Norte began with statue-like passes and quickly moved into close quarters, where he feels most comfortable. That was where the best moments of the faena appeared.

Particularly notable were the left-handed passes, deeply rooted into the sand, letting the bull’s charge flow while the horns brushed dangerously close to his trousers. The ending, with inverted circular passes in very tight space, completely ignited Las Ventas. The sword entered low, but it was enough to secure his first ear.

The Puerta Grande came with the sixth

The sixth bull allowed Norte to confirm everything he had shown earlier. A novillo with an excellent right side, which let him produce long and well-tempered series.

One particular series of right hands stood out for its authority, cleanliness and composure, fully bringing the crowd into the performance. Then came a frightening toss, lifting him several metres off the ground while finishing a chest pass. Far from backing away, he returned to the bull and continued fighting at closer range, even as the animal became increasingly difficult.

He went in to kill with total conviction and the request for the trophy was undeniable. Ear and Puerta Grande in his Madrid debut.

Mario Vilau, total commitment and a bitter goring

Mario Vilau’s afternoon had both sides of bullfighting. The sweetness of an important Madrid debut and the bitterness of ending the day injured while trying to stay fully committed.

The Catalan novillero went to the gate to receive both of his opponents. He held nothing back. With the second, he delivered a performance full of merit against an animal lacking strength but still willing to charge.

Vilau perfectly understood the rhythm the faena required. He fought very slowly and tightly composed, especially with the left hand. The chest passes, executed with pause and control, were among the highlights of his work. He also killed truthfully, throwing himself over the sword to earn an ear in his Las Ventas debut.

The goring that cooled the afternoon

The fifth was a completely different story. A dull, motionless novillo that quickly became fixed near the boards. Vilau tried everything to find a solution, insisting even when the animal had already stopped charging.

While fighting naturally, he was caught in the left thigh. The horn twisted his body in the air and the injury quickly became visible. Even so, he stayed in the ring, allowed a tourniquet to be applied and went in for the kill before walking to the infirmary under a strong ovation.

Pedro Luis, firmness and good concept without reward

Pedro Luis left a serious impression throughout the afternoon. With his first opponent he showed calmness and good manners against a mansurrón novillo lacking power and collaboration.

The best moments came sporadically on the left hand, although the lack of depth from the animal prevented the faena from taking flight. He did, however, leave an excellent sword thrust.

With the fourth, a novillo with mobility and some quality, he again showed interesting concept and good timing, but the faena lacked intensity and failed to truly connect with the crowd.

Fight card

Las Ventas Bullring. Tenth event of the San Isidro Fair. Picador novillada. 20,881 spectators.

Fuente Ymbro novillos, uneven and poorly shaped overall.

Pedro Luis, silence and silence.
Mario Vilau, ear and ovation after warning.
Julio Norte, ear and ear, Puerta Grande.

Madrid discovered a Julio Norte capable of sustaining an entire afternoon through courage and composure. It also confirmed Mario Vilau’s total commitment, leaving moments of great interest before being injured. San Isidro moves forward and Las Ventas already has another young name marked in red.

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