The event delivered exactly what spectators hoped for. Waiting for the main fight until 3 o’clock paid off in a display that showcased Javier Cuartero from Alicante at his best. The cloak was held with confidence, weather favorable, and a precise shot landed cleanly. Cuartero saluted Palazón, a teacher from Terreta’s academy, as the arena roared in agreement. On the right, a series of powerful, resonant passes unfolded, while a balanced exchange with López Gibaja drew cheers. Cuartero’s controlled movements and natural flow made his return to the ring look effortless. The performance felt deliberate, genuine, and richly layered, with the right balance of flair and discipline. Cuartero demonstrated high-level technique and built a bullring routine that felt cohesive, poised, and ready for a higher tier of competition, with an abundance of descriptive adjectives used by observers to capture the moment.
Bruno Martínez, greeted by the crowd with two ears held high, stepped toward the porta gayola to welcome the brave López Gibaja. He offered a nod to his teacher at the school, Varea, and Castellonense sought a traditional path, only for the moment to reveal a paradox by recasting a leap of the frog as a symbol of unconventional genius similar to Benítez: El Cordobés. The contrast between orthodox expectations and spontaneous interpretation highlighted the evening’s playful tension and the enduring romance of the sport.
Bruno Gimeno, earning a single ear, delivered a strong capotero salute. The display was impressive, showing breadth, control, and resourcefulness even as he navigated the crowd and the course. The audience acknowledged the effort, and the moment underscored Gimeno’s resilience. The event carried a respectful mood, and the crowd responded positively as the performance progressed. The Valencian rider then faced a difficult turn, a reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature and the risk that accompanies a live performance.
Alicante’s Alejandro Troya, carrying two ears, delivered a superb suspension with the gaoneras before stepping into a training phase as a fighter. He greeted Veronica with a certain majesty, a touch informal and at times provocative, yet the session carried a tone of humility and perseverance. It was a long, richly detailed sequence that showcased notable precision and timing. The moment concluded with a decisive, clean exit, leaving spectators impressed by the poise on display.
Ian Bermejo, in two-ear form, moved toward the pigsty door as saltilleras Israel Guirao faced a dramatic moment that sent chills through the crowd and required medical attention. From his knees, the Castellón native set a measured, round, tight pace, exuding discipline and determination. The return to the ring brought two ears for Bermejo and a sense of admiration for Gibaja’s experienced handling of the moment.
Athletic drama continued as Alberto Donaire stepped in for Israel Guirao, and the crowd breathed through a temporary pause while an ambulance attended to a critical moment. The Valencia-based La Rioja banner carried the evening with a rhythmically deep muletazo, delivering a cinematic quality to the performance. The overall bullfight was elegant and deliberately paced, though the sword work did not fully seal the deal.
The rancher Antonio López Gibaja then appeared, delivering a massive, showstopping cue that lifted the collective spirit of the artists present. The moment resonated through the audience as the afternoon drew to a close. By 3:45 p.m., the show concluded in Alicante, leaving the crowd with lasting impressions as the town prepared for the next season and the anticipated Bonfires of 2023.