Photos by ©Aaron Gil

A matador ("killer") is the main performer in bullfighting events in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. More commonly known as the torero (roughly "bull handler"), he or she is the person who taunts and finally kills the bull.

The role is also called toreador in English (and in Bizet's opera Carmen), but this term is almost never used in Spain or in Latin America. One of the most famous matadors of all time was Juan Belmonte, whose technique in the ring revolutionised bullfighting and remains the standard by which matadors are judged to this day.

A matador is considered to be as much an artist as a competitor. The style and bravery of the matador is regarded as being at least as important as whether or not he actually kills the bull.

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