Girona-born bullfighter Mario Vilau, 19, is preparing for his debut at Ceret de Toros in France, where he will face four young bulls alone on the morning of 11 July. The fair runs on 11 and 12 July and was presented for the first time in the Girona area at Bar Cuéllar.
Vilau said his path into bullfighting began very early, and that his parents did not initially understand his interest. He said they even took him to a psychologist when he was a child. He added that his family had no background in bullfighting, and that he first became interested through a maternal uncle who lived in a village in Castellón where street bull runs were common.
He said his fascination started almost from birth. Vilau recalled teachers asking his parents why he focused so much on bulls at school, from his drawings to his games with classmates. He also said he has photos of himself aged two, three and four holding toy bulls. More Catalonia news
Vilau said the psychologist he saw eventually gave him a toy bull at the end of treatment, which he sees as a sign of how fixed his ambition was. He later told his parents he needed to attend a bullfighting school, and said his mother went with him, which he took as a sign of acceptance.
He said his mother still worries about the risks of the profession, and that his parents attend his fights when they can, including a recent event in Madrid where he was gored. Vilau said it was not the first time he had been injured in the ring, and described such incidents as part of the job. He added that, even while bleeding, he saw it as something to be proud of.
Looking ahead, Vilau said his dream is to fight in Catalonia, where bullfighting is currently restricted. He said he feels pressure because he represents Catalonia, and that he trains every day. He also said he tried football, but eventually chose bullfighting, and that he understands the difference between fighting young bulls and adult bulls. Ceret de Toros is the fair where he will make his debut.