Algeciras Royal Fair: A glorious afternoon for bullfighters Juan Jesús Rodríguez and Ruiz de Velasco

The first bullfight of the Real de Algeciras Fair has two names in its own right: Juan Jesús Rodríguez and Ruiz de Velasco , the resounding winners of the afternoon, each cutting two appendages—the fourth and fifth—from their respective opponents. Both young men were carried out on shoulders through the "Puerta de Feria."

A bullfight where six Andalusian bullfighters wove their way through the ring to fight a fine pack of Miguelín bulls. These well-bred and well-classed bulls displayed their outstanding qualities in their charges on a highly interesting afternoon filled with competition, rivalry, and excellent bullfighting at Las Palomas. It was a high-flying afternoon of artistic content, but in the statistics, it was marred by the steel.

1st El Gali, from Algeciras. The young man from Algeciras performed a cape-style greeting, expressing his expression throughout the passes, gaining ground with each pass. He displayed rhythm and good control of the situation. He dedicated his performance to the mayor of the city, José Ignacio Landaluce. El Gali performed a classic faena with both horns, with a connected and rhythmic style of bullfighting against a well-classed bullfighter. He gave a sword thrust and an ear.

2nd Pablo Lozano, from Alcalá de los Gazules. The Cádiz native emerged decisively and launched into a greeting that interspersed afarolados, verónicas, and delantales. Showy handling against a bull that revealed softness. Lozano struggled with a second bull that pushed inward and forced him to rectify his composition, as he let his face go with each embroque. Pablo showed unwavering determination against a complicated bull. He stalled with swords, to a standing ovation.

3rd Manolo Martínez, from Málaga. The Malaga native gently received his opponent, constructing a beautiful start where he took charge of each verónica. He toasted the crowd. Martínez moved slowly from both sides with open-stroke bullfighting and a long, measured stroke. A remarkable performance with connection and strength against a good bull that proved well-built and obedient. He received an ugly tumble without further ado. An ear after a warning.

4th: Juan Jesús Rodríguez, from La Línea de la Concepción. Graceful and skillful with the pink cloth in a delightful greeting to the verónica. Juan Jesús cemented an important performance with deep and demanding natural passes, while on the right he executed linked series in a carousel. He displayed poise on both sides. Rodríguez was deeply involved in his work against a very rigorous and key bullfighter. He concluded his remarkable performance with a very tight finale with bernadinas and a sword thrust to the chamois. A long performance with two warnings before the final pass. Two ears after two recados.

5th Ruiz de Velasco, from Jerez de la Frontera. Two kneeling tijerillas and a good handful of verónicas that reached the watering hole. A public toast. De Velasco produced artistic muletazos against another bullfighter. He gave his all in a calm and elegant bullfight, where the natural pass traveled with poise and the right pass with distinction. A performance that he gained as he advanced. He received an ugly somersault without consequences midway through the performance. Two ears after a warning.

6th Alfonso Morales, from Jaén. The bullfighter from Jaén gained ground with each verónica, giving an elegant and expressive greeting. He dedicated his performance to maestro Uceda Leal. Alfonso cemented two very distinct parts in his performance. Initially, a vertical and connected performance, where he left the muleta in front to link the next pass. Later, he drew on his spirit and demonstrated the ability to force a reluctant opponent. All this in the face of a tough, shifty bullfighter who gave him two strong beatings but never flinched. The sword refused to enter the final pass. Applause.