Borja Jimenez: “The ambition to be present in all the premier arenas in France in 2025”

Borja Jimenez during a first day at the campo at Garcigrande last Tuesday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez with Justo Hernandez and his son after fighting a Garcigrande bull in private. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez with Justo Hernandez and his son after fighting a bull from Garcigrande in private. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez s’est préparé face à six vaches de Victoriano del Rio samedi dernier. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Borja Jimenez prepared for six cows from Victoriano del Rio last Saturday. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

The number one of the 2024 season shared two days at the campo with Midi Libre at Garcigrande (Salamanca) and Victoriano del Rio (Madrid). After his "golden ear" and great doors in Madrid, Pamplona and Bilbao, he aims to consolidate his status at the top of the escalafon and come to all the major French ferias in 2025.

2023 was the season of revelation and 2024 was the season of confirmation ?

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Indeed, the last temporada gave me strength with my first big door in Madrid which allowed me to enter many ferias and good cartels this year. I was fully aware of the importance of 2024 for my future because confirming from the first contracts was essential. I had the chance to cut ears in each feria in Castellon, Valencia and Seville and that gave me confidence because I felt that my bullfighting was evolving.

In the end, 2024 has turned out to be a great season with all the summer successes (42 bullfights, 74 ears, 2 tails). Opening the great doors of Madrid, Bilbao and Pamplona in the same year will remain a unique moment in my career with the two ears of Seville and these Triumphant and Best Faena Awards of San Isidro.

“The golden ear, the dream of all bullfighters”

The Triumphant award of the season is a source of pride after going through difficult years ?

Winning the two most prestigious awards at the Feria de Madrid is the reward for my work and perseverance during the years when I was not fighting much. The “Golden Ear”, which rewards the winner of the season, is a dream and an ambition for all bullfighters. Receiving it has allowed me to confirm the promises of 2023.

I hope that these successes will allow me to be in the best cartels of the biggest ferias next year. Throughout the season, I felt a technical and artistic progression as I gained experience. I manage to express what I feel in front of the bull and this evolution is due to the first successes of 2024 that gave me confidence and peace.

All my objectives have been met but I still have a lot to learn and that is why I continue to bullfight in the campo throughout the winter for 2025.

France knows you little with only one bullfight fought in France as a matador de toros. It is a regret ?

I have fought a lot in France in sans picador and in novillada piquée where I cut three ears in Arles and received the prize for the best novillero in the southwest. After eight years of alternative, I made my first paseo de matador de toros this year in Istres where I opened the big door against the Jandilla. France is my disappointment of 2024 because I lost three bullfights in first category arenas with the cancellation due to bad weather in Béziers and my forfeits due to injury in Bayonne and Mont-de-Marsan.

It is a thorn in the side and I hope to make my presentation in the seven first category arenas in France in 2025 and, more particularly, to confirm my alternative in Nîmes. I would be delighted to participate in other ferias as well, but my bullfighting takes on its full dimension in these large arenas with the demands of the bull and the public. Because the French public knows how to value commitment and good bullfighting.

“The ambition of the first places of the escalafon 2025 “

What are your projects and ambitions in terms of contracts for 2025 ?

My ambition is to be present in the upper part of the escalafon and do a lot of paseos. I want to occupy the first places and bullfight a lot but by being in beautiful arenas and quality cartels. I fight, and I work, every day to reach the top. But I know that I still have a lot of work to do to get there. These last two seasons have positioned me on the right path but I still have to progress.

Many bullfighters who reveal themselves in demanding bullfights then want to fight only figuras bulls. What are your plans on this subject ?

I want to face different types of breeding and I am aware that I owe a lot to my three ears from Madrid against the Victorino Martin. This year, I fought this ganaderia six times and I will continue in the future. In 2025, I want to measure myself against as many different encastes as possible. Bullfighting in this type of ganaderia is rewarding, but it must be done in category bullrings and cartels.

“The dream of the Prince's Gate and a solo in Madrid”

Opening the great gate of Seville or a solo in Madrid are these goals for 2025 ?

I opened the Prince's Gate of Seville as a novillero against the Fuente Ymbro. This year I came close to realizing this dream of triumphing in my bullrings as a matador de toros and I hope that it will be postponed until the next April fair. This goal occupies my mind constantly, but all bullfighters know how difficult it is to achieve it. The Prince's Gate is one of the great dreams that I still have to accomplish.

As for Madrid, we have all seen how difficult it is to triumph in the one-on-one six over the last two decades. But, I want to achieve it once in my career when all the conditions are met. The day after important successes for example.