Boy Matador, 12, Bullish After Narrow Escape

4:10pm UK, Monday June 07, 2010

Tim Hewage, Sky News Online

A 12-year-old boy has become the youngest ever novice bullfighter to perform in Mexico City's main ring.

Known to his fans as Michelito, Michel Lagravere successfully killed an 893lb bull that dwarfed the young matador.

But his second bull was not such a success and the 12-year-old was knocked to the ground.

After being taken to hospital for X-rays, the boy's father - also a bullfighter - said Michelito had only suffered minor bruising.

Despite the close call, the budding bullfighter said the experience had left "a good taste in my mouth".

Though his first appearance in the Mexico City stadium, Michelito is no stranger to the ring - he had his first bullfight when he was just four years old.

Child matadors are just another controversial aspect of this sport and can be seen in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

In Spain matadors have to be at least 16 years old and can attain popstar-like status.

But there the sport is under fire. It is already banned on the Canary Islands and a ruling to ban the practice in the Catalonia region will be decided next month.

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