Bullfighter Juan Ortega Dreams of Honoring Ordóñez in Ronda
Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega has spoken about his wish to honor a bullfighting legend. He hopes to fight in the town of Ronda as a tribute to Antonio Ordóñez, one of the most respected matadors in Spanish history.
Ronda holds a special traditional bullfighting event every year known as the Goyesca corrida. During this event, bullfighters and spectators wear costumes from the 18th century, inspired by the paintings of the artist Francisco de Goya.
This year, however, many people felt the Goyesca event lacked real meaning. Some observers said the corrida felt empty, as if it had lost its original spirit and importance.
Meanwhile, former bullfighter Fran Rivera made a personal confession about returning to the ring. Rivera, who has already retired from bullfighting, said he would only consider fighting again for one very special reason.
He explained that he would want to do it so that his children could finally watch him fight in person. Rivera described this as a deeply personal and emotional motivation, different from professional ambition.
Both stories came from events connected to Ronda's bullfighting tradition. Juan Ortega's comments reflect a strong respect among younger bullfighters for the sport's history and its most celebrated figures, such as Ordóñez.
Fran Rivera, meanwhile, is well known in Spain, both for his own bullfighting career and for his public life. His remarks about performing for his children touched many people who follow bullfighting news.
Vocabulary7 words
- bullfighter
- a person whose job is fighting bulls in a ring
- legend
- a very famous and respected person from the past
- tribute
- something done to show respect for someone
- Goyesca
- a bullfight where people wear clothes from the 1700s
- corrida
- the Spanish word for a bullfight event
- confession
- when someone shares a private feeling or truth
- retired
- stopped working in a job or sport
Quiz
Answer key
1. Antonio Ordóñez 2. People wear costumes from the 18th century 3. So his children could see him fight
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega has spoken about his wish to honor a bullfighting _____.
He hopes to fight in the town of _____ as a _____ to Antonio Ordóñez.
Ronda holds a special traditional bullfighting event every year known as the _____ corrida.
During this event, people wear costumes from the _____ century, inspired by the painter Francisco de Goya.
This year, many people felt the Goyesca event lacked real _____.
Former bullfighter Fran Rivera made a personal _____ about returning to the ring.
He said he would fight again so his _____ could finally watch him.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think traditions like the Goyesca corrida are important to some people?
- Do you think bullfighting should continue as a cultural tradition? Why or why not?
- What does Fran Rivera's reason for returning to bullfighting tell you about his priorities?
- How might younger performers like Juan Ortega feel connected to legends from the past?