Aparicio Romero

From bullfighting school to the bullring: this is how Aparicio Romero’s journey began

Some bullfighting stories begin with an unforgettable afternoon in a bullring, whilst others take root much earlier, when a passion for the sport becomes a persistent dream. In the case of Aparicio Romero, it all began with a dream that never stopped growing: he wanted to be a bullfighter.

A native of Arenas de San Juan, in the province of Ciudad Real, the young bullfighter from La Mancha found in his surroundings the encouragement to take his first steps towards a profession as demanding as it is thrilling. His story is also that of so many young people who discover the world of bullfighting from a young age and end up taking the plunge to train, learn and face a bull to see just how far they can go.

In an interview with Ayer&Hoy News, Aparicio explained that he had been passionate about bullfighting from a very young age and that it was he himself who insisted his father take him to the Alcázar de San Juan Bullfighting School. He began his training on 3 September 2019 and, just a few weeks later, had the opportunity to take part in a ‘tentadero’ in Malagón. That first experience in front of a bull was particularly significant for him.

His training continued at the Miguelturra Bullfighting School, which he joined for reasons related to his studies. There, he continued to work on the fundamentals of bullfighting, from stance and composure to the ability to read the bull’s charges. Because, although a passion for the sport may be the starting point, the craft requires hours of training, discipline and constant learning.

His first successes: six grand gates in a single season

Aparicio Romero’s progress began to become apparent in the bullrings in his local area. His public debut took place on 30 May 2021 in Alcázar de San Juan, whilst he was still in the early stages of his training. Shortly afterwards, at a ‘becerrada’ held in Llanos del Caudillo, he won his first two trophies, a reward that further fuelled his enthusiasm.

The year 2022 marked a particularly outstanding chapter: six bullfights and six exits carried on the shoulders of the crowd, with a tally of thirteen ears and two tails. Arenas de San Juan, Abenójar, Ossa de Montiel, El Torno and Carrascalejo were some of the venues for those triumphs. A remarkable record for a novice bullfighter who was beginning to make a name for himself and who found in the village bullrings an opportunity to gain experience and confidence.

His development continued in promotional competitions, including ‘Promesas de Nuestra Tierra’, the final of which was held in Sonseca, Toledo. The chance to compete against other promising young bullfighters and to perform before different audiences proved crucial in broadening his experiences beyond his home town.

He also shone in Soria, where he was recognised as the star of the festival, and gave a special performance in Ciudad Real, where he was carried out on the shoulders of the crowd alongside the matador Fernando Tendero at a bullfight featuring local bullfighters.

It is not simply a matter of collecting trophies. In the ‘sin picadores’ ranking, these events can serve as a showcase to attract the attention of promoters, fans and professionals. Every performance presents an opportunity to demonstrate that there is more to it than just determination: a unique way of interpreting bullfighting.

Aparicio Romero’s philosophy: personality above all else

There is a statement by Israel Aparicio that helps us understand what he is looking for when facing the young bull. In his conversation with Ayer&Hoy News, he emphasised the importance of conveying something different and making the audience want to come back and see him again. This is no small ambition in a profession where so many young people are competing to make their mark.

Among his role models, he has mentioned Juan Ortega and Pablo Aguado, two bullfighters known for their skill with the cape and their pursuit of artistic expression. This admiration gives a glimpse into his interest in a style of bullfighting that is not limited to simply completing the fight, but which also has the power to move people.

Aparicio has also spoken of the importance of putting himself to the test. In his account of a performance in Ciudad Real, he explained how initial doubts gave way to a faena in which he decided to take a risk and step outside his usual approach in an attempt to connect with the spectators. The audience’s response was a standing ovation that he recalls as one of the most intense experiences of his career.

This raises an interesting point: courage is not merely about taking a physical risk. It also requires overcoming one’s own mental barriers, adapting to the bull’s behaviour and finding solutions when the performance does not go to plan. It is through this learning process that a large part of a bullfighter’s personality is forged.

The debut with picadors: a new chapter in Ciudad Real

On 19 August 2026, Aparicio Romero took one of the most significant steps of his career by making his debut with picadors at the Ciudad Real bullring, during the Virgen del Prado Festival. He shared the bill with Adrián Reinosa and Javier Fernández, in a novillada featuring bulls from the Toros de San Román ranch.

The occasion had a clearly emotional element. Before the event, the novillero visited the Cathedral Basilica of Ciudad Real to make an offering to the Virgen del Prado, the city’s patron saint. It was a personal gesture on an afternoon that marked the culmination of years of preparation and sacrifice.

In the ring, the third scheduled novillo had to be replaced after he injured his hand. The replacement bull displayed nobility, though it offered little in the way of excitement. Aparicio produced some fine moments with the cape and showed composure with the muleta, attempting to keep the charge at medium height and maintain the flow of his series of passes.

The performance ended with a standing ovation and a wave to the crowd following a warning. In the sixth bout, facing a bull with a difficult temperament, he was unable to round off the afternoon successfully and was booed.

It wasn’t exactly a triumph, but a career shouldn’t be judged on the basis of a single afternoon either. Moving up to the level where picadors are involved means facing more experienced bullfighters with different demands, as well as learning to manage the timing and the sword. For Aparicio Romero, Ciudad Real marked the start of a new phase in which he will have to turn promising moments into more complete performances and consistent results.

Interesting facts about Aparicio Romero

• His full name is Israel Aparicio Romero. On bullfighting posters he is listed as Aparicio Romero and he is from Arenas de San Juan, Ciudad Real.
• He began his bullfighting training in 2019. He joined the Alcázar de San Juan Bullfighting School on 3 September and took part in a tentadero in Malagón just a few weeks later.
• He achieved six ‘grandes puertas’ in 2022. Across six bullfights, he cut thirteen ears and two tails, a record that marked an important stage in his progression.
• He is 1.90 metres tall. The novillero himself explained that his height once caused him to have doubts during a performance in Ciudad Real, although he eventually overcame them to deliver one of the performances he remembers with the greatest emotion.
• He is an admirer of Juan Ortega and Pablo Aguado. He has particularly highlighted their way of handling the cape and their ability to thrill the audience with their movement and expression.
• His debut with picadors held special significance. Before donning his bullfighter’s costume in Ciudad Real, he made an offering to the Virgen del Prado, a gesture through which he sought to face a decisive moment in his career.

What does the future hold for Aparicio Romero?

Aparicio Romero’s story is still unfolding. His successes in the picador-free ranks show that he has been able to capitalise on numerous opportunities, whilst his debut with horses marks the start of a new phase in which he will have to adapt to new demands and compete for a place in increasingly competitive line-ups.

His interest in a style of bullfighting with personality, his artistic role models and his willingness to take risks offer clues as to the path he wishes to follow. But the real challenge will be to ensure that these traits translate into consistency, that his performances gain depth and that the audience can recognise his own unique way of interpreting the bull’s charge.

There is no formula that guarantees success in bullfighting. Technique is honed, courage is put to the test, and personality takes time to mature. Sometimes, a difficult afternoon teaches more than a triumphant exit carried on the shoulders of the crowd; at other times, a measured natural pass or a fluid series of passes is enough for the fan to begin to remember a name.

Aparicio Romero has already experienced the thrill of triumphing on home soil and the responsibility of making the leap to fighting with picadors. Now it is up to him to show just how far he can go. Because a bullfighter’s future is not decided in a single afternoon: it is built every time he takes to the ring once more.

Servitoro: the best way to keep up with the rising stars of bullfighting

For fans keen to discover young bullfighters and enjoy bullfighting live, Servitoro is the best platform for buying tickets securely and easily.

The next generation of bullfighters needs opportunities, but also fans willing to support them from their very first steps. Behind every entrance to the ring lie hours of training, personal sacrifices and a calling that is put to the test when the gate to the bullpen opens.

Aparicio Romero has begun to write his own story. There is still a long way to go, and that is precisely the most interesting part: finding out whether that young man from Arenas de San Juan, capable of thrilling his audience, will manage to turn his ambition into a career of his own in the world of bullfighting.