José Gómez Ortega
Spanish bullfighter (1895-1920) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
José Gómez Ortega (8 May 1895 – 16 May 1920), commonly known as Joselito (Spanish pronunciation: [xoseˈlito]), was a Spanish matador in the early twentieth century.[1]
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Personal information | |
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Birth name | José Gómez Ortega |
Nickname(s) | Gallito Joselito el Gallo |
Born | (1895-05-08)8 May 1895 Gelves, Andalucia, Spain |
Died | 16 May 1920(1920-05-16) (aged 25) Talavera de la Reina, Spain |
Sport | |
Sport | Bullfighting |
Rank | Matador |
Bullfighting career | |
School | Sevillan |
Début novillero | 1 October 1912 Fuente de Berro |
Alternativa | 28 September 1912 |
• Place | Seville |
• Godfather | Fernando Gómez García |
Relatives | Fernando Gómez García Rafael Gómez Ortega Ignacio Sánchez Mejías |
Younger brother of matador de toros Rafael Gómez Ortega ("El Gallo"), Joselito was considered a child prodigy and was the youngest bullfighter to receive the title of matador de toros, at the age of 17, with his brother as "padrino".
Joselito followed in arch-rival Juan Belmonte's footsteps and the two ushered in bullfighting's "Golden Age" during the second decade of the 20th century. Joselito and Belmonte are widely considered to be among the most famous bullfighters of all time, and their professional rivalry did not prevent their developing a close personal friendship.[1]
Joselito was fatally gored in the ring by the bull "Bailador" in Talavera de la Reina at the age of 25, where he was appearing with the matador Ignacio Sánchez Mejías. Upon Joselito's death, the Virgin of Hope of Macarena was dressed in an entirely-black ensemble to acknowledge the public's heavy grief.