Born: 1991 (Murcia, Spain)
Biography:
Conchi Ríos, a renowned Spanish bullfighter, was born in Murcia in 1991. Growing up in a family with no ties to bullfighting, Ríos discovered her passion for the sport at the young age of 14. It was during an event at La Condomina that her enthusiasm for bullfighting became evident. Accompanied by her grandfather, Ríos had the opportunity to observe a calf up close. Instead of fear, she approached the calf with a cape, igniting a deep desire within her to become a bullfighter.
To pursue her dreams, Ríos enrolled in the bullfighting school in Murcia, where she honed her skills in bullfighting heifers. As her training progressed, she furthered her education in the art of bullfighting in various locations, including Cádiz, Granada, Seville, Albacete, and Madrid. On September 23, 2007, Ríos made her public debut, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Her debut with picadores took place in Granada on June 8, 2009. Sharing the bill with Luis Miguel Casares and El Nico, Ríos faced steers from Lagunajanda. However, her true breakthrough came on July 10, 2011, in Las Ventas, Madrid. In this significant event, Ríos not only shared the bill with López Simón and Jiménez Fortes but also achieved a historic feat. She became the first woman to cut off two ears of the same bull, a demonstration of her exceptional skill and fearless determination.
Despite her early successes, Ríos faced a period of nearly three years without bullfighting. However, she utilized this time to continue her studies and gain access to university education. Seeking new opportunities, Ríos traveled to Peru but encountered precarious conditions and minimal security related to bullfighting. Driven by a relentless commitment to her craft and a desire for a safer environment, Ríos returned to Spain, where she resumed her studies.
In 2015, Ríos solidified her prominence in the bullfighting world. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport, she was one of the five Spanish bullfighters listed among 825 individuals. However, her most significant breakthrough came on June 9, 2016, when she took the alternative in Cehegín, Murcia. Accompanied by El Cordobés and Antonio Puerta, Ríos faced bulls from Guadalmena, proving her mettle as a skilled bullfighter.
The accolades for Ríos continued to pour in, solidifying her status as a trailblazer. In 2016, the BBC recognized her extraordinary achievements and named her one of the 100 most influential women of that year. Among the 20 European women on the list, Ríos stood as the sole representative from Spain. In a world dominated by men, she emerged as one of the four women bullfighters among a staggering list of 820 men. Ríos stands as a powerful advocate for gender equality, proclaiming, I believe in the equality of women and men. Everyone has to fight for who they are and what they want to do in life.
Conchi Ríos’s unwavering dedication to her craft, groundbreaking achievements, and dedication to gender equality have cemented her place in the annals of bullfighting history. Her bravery, skill, and determination continue to inspire and empower individuals around the world, establishing her as a true icon of women’s history.
Awards:
– Recognition by the BBC as one of the 100 most influential women of 2016.