Pepe Cáceres
Encyclopedia
José Humberto Eslava "Pepe" Cáceres (March 16, 1935 - August 16, 1987) was a Colombia
n bullfighter. Born in Honda, Tolima
, Colombia, he is often regarded as one of the finest bullfighters ever and the best-known bullfighter Colombia has ever produced. He was also a breeder of bulls and bullfighting organizer.
During his younger years, Cáceres was more inclined to football than bullfighting. In 1949 he witnessed a bullfight in Bogotá
and then decided to become a torero. He debuted as a bullfighter on November 1, 1952 and traveled to Spain in 1955 He debuted in Malaga
, Spain on April 10, 1955 and was injured by the first bull he faced. However, he proceeded to dispatch ten young bulls in his first season with great success. He took the alternative in the Feria de Abril
at the Maestranza de Sevilla
on September 30, 1956, with his godfather, Antonio Bienvenida. His most famous victories over his long career were in Mexico and the Monumental Plaza de Toros in Bogota.
In his career he had been seriously wounded at least five times yet he could not bring himself to retire yet. He had remarked in an interview "I think all bullfighters live with the hope of continuing in the bullfighting atmosphere, to prolong the taurine feast". He was seriously injured a sixth time, a goring that he received from the bull "Monin" on July 20, 1987 in Sogamoso
, Colombia. He was trapped up against the boards and was mauled by the bull. It resulted in a pierced lung that proved to be fatal. He had been a professional bullfighter for 31 years and had announced his retirement for the next year.
As a bullfighter, he is considered one of the best in the use of the cape, but his difficulty to kill was always his greatest professional limitation. He often refused to set 'flags' in the bulls he fought. The set known as Cacerina, bringing down the bull while riding it at the time of the fatal stab, was his creation.
He is honoured by a statue outside the Santamaría Bullring
in Bogotá.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n bullfighter. Born in Honda, Tolima
Honda, Tolima
Honda is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 26,873 as of the 2005 census. Along with Líbano, Honda is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Líbano-Honda...
, Colombia, he is often regarded as one of the finest bullfighters ever and the best-known bullfighter Colombia has ever produced. He was also a breeder of bulls and bullfighting organizer.
During his younger years, Cáceres was more inclined to football than bullfighting. In 1949 he witnessed a bullfight in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
and then decided to become a torero. He debuted as a bullfighter on November 1, 1952 and traveled to Spain in 1955 He debuted in Malaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, Spain on April 10, 1955 and was injured by the first bull he faced. However, he proceeded to dispatch ten young bulls in his first season with great success. He took the alternative in the Feria de Abril
Seville Fair
The Seville Fair is held in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain. The fair generally begins two weeks after the Semana Santa, or Easter Holy Week....
at the Maestranza de Sevilla
Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla
The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is the oldest bullring in Spain. It is the site of the annual Feria de Abril in Seville, one of the most well-known bullfighting festivals in the world....
on September 30, 1956, with his godfather, Antonio Bienvenida. His most famous victories over his long career were in Mexico and the Monumental Plaza de Toros in Bogota.
In his career he had been seriously wounded at least five times yet he could not bring himself to retire yet. He had remarked in an interview "I think all bullfighters live with the hope of continuing in the bullfighting atmosphere, to prolong the taurine feast". He was seriously injured a sixth time, a goring that he received from the bull "Monin" on July 20, 1987 in Sogamoso
Sogamoso
Sogamoso is a city in the Boyacá department of Colombia.The origin of Sogamoso goes back in the cosmogony, Chibcha, to the creation of the Sun. In the valley of Iraca the Sun was born...
, Colombia. He was trapped up against the boards and was mauled by the bull. It resulted in a pierced lung that proved to be fatal. He had been a professional bullfighter for 31 years and had announced his retirement for the next year.
As a bullfighter, he is considered one of the best in the use of the cape, but his difficulty to kill was always his greatest professional limitation. He often refused to set 'flags' in the bulls he fought. The set known as Cacerina, bringing down the bull while riding it at the time of the fatal stab, was his creation.
He is honoured by a statue outside the Santamaría Bullring
Santamaría Bullring
Santamaría Bullring is a bullring in Bogotá, Colombia and it is currently used for bullfighting, although it has also been used for concerts and other cultural activities. The stadium holds 14,500 people and was built in 1931. This bullring is more commonly known as the Plaza de Toros Santamaría....
in Bogotá.