Rafael Molina Sánchez

Rafael Molina Sánchez called Lagartijo ( lizard ) ( born November 27, 1841 in Córdoba, † August 1, 1900 ) was a famous Spanish bullfighter.

Life

Lagartijo was the son of Manuel Banderillero Molino and was familiarized with fighting bulls from his father as a little boy; his active time as a bullfighter ( matador ) began on 28 September 1865. Pending the completion of his profession in 1893, he had killed 29 bulls in 4867 and 1632 sessions bullfighting bullfights and thus is regarded internationally as being the record holder. He was to the end of his career seven times seriously hurt.

Honors

Lagartijo was awarded the highest honorary title for Spanish bullfighter " Califa " ( " caliph " ) awarded.

In his honor was erected a bust in 2002, at his residence in Córdoba.

In the Andalusian town of Linares, a bullfighting museum was named after Lagartijo.

Trivia

Lagartijo and his Toreros occurred on 26 July 1869 in a spectacular fight against Toro de Lidia Gordito to which the Tercio de Varas ( first third ) killed a total of twenty-one horses of Picadores ( Lancer ) and then in the second act of the struggle by the was pardoned President of the bullring in El Puerto de Santa María ( Indulto ). On October 5, 1879 Lagartijo spared in the bullring " Plaza de Toros de los Tejares " (Cordoba ) at the request of the audience in the final third act of the struggle the life of the fighting bull Murciélago whose name became then as a sports car "Lamborghini Murcielago " international notoriety.