The mayor of Ciudad Real, Francisco Cañizares, attended the gala for the seventh edition of the Virgen del Prado awards, organised by the bullfighting information newspaper Cargando la Suerte. This annual event brings together representatives from the bullfighting community, enthusiasts, and notable figures from social and institutional spheres.
During the ceremony, Cañizares underscored the importance of recognising and supporting bullfighting as a vital part of Ciudad Real's traditions and cultural identity. He expressed gratitude to Cargando la Suerte and the COPE network for their efforts in promoting the bullfighting world and facilitating gatherings between professionals and fans.
The mayor also highlighted the role of local administrations in supporting bullfighting activities, specifically thanking the Provincial Council for its collaboration with the bullfighting community and for the Ciudad Real bullring, which he described as “the most important in the province.”
In this year’s awards, the title of overall winner was unanimously awarded to bullfighter Samuel Navalón. Rejoneador Diego Ventura received recognition for the most artistic performance, while Juan Contreras was named the best team member. The trophy for the bravest bull was left unawarded.
A special recognition was also given to bullfighter Víctor Puerto for his professional career, which concluded this year after 31 years. Cañizares expressed his appreciation for Puerto’s connection to Ciudad Real and his contributions to the bullfighting world, stating, “You have given so much to this land, with sacrifice, effort, and affection.”
Additionally, special mentions were awarded to Casa Pepe restaurant for its 40th anniversary, the Peña Taurina Samuel Flores for 25 years of activity, and the Club Taurino Almodóvar, which celebrates four decades of service. Mar Sánchez Izarra and Adrián Fernández were also recognised for their support of bullfighting.
Cañizares congratulated Samuel Navalón for his award and his strong connection with the Ciudad Real audience, noting the warm reception he receives during local festivities. He remarked that the Virgen del Prado award embodies “what identifies us: the bull, our traditions, our essence, and our way of understanding life.”
The gala was attended by institutional representatives, political leaders, bullfighting professionals, and fans from various municipalities in the province, once again bringing together key figures from the bullfighting sector in Ciudad Real.
