MEXICO: SPANISH FEMALE BULLFIGHTER SANCHEZ DRAWS A CAPACITY CROWD скачать в хорошем качестве

MEXICO: SPANISH FEMALE BULLFIGHTER SANCHEZ DRAWS A CAPACITY CROWD

(14 Jan 1997) Spanish/Nat Spain's first female bullfighter Cristina Sanchez drew a capacity crowd for her debut in Mexico City despite a lacklustre performance. 24-year-old Sanchez came to Mexico to confirm her status as "matador" - a title granted last May. She was the first woman to don the traditional bullfighter's "suit of lights" in Mexico, where she had toured last year as a "novillera" or apprentice. Cristina Sanchez' debut in Mexico City as a full-fledged "matador" was a disappointment for her 45-thousand fans. Sanchez - Spain's first female bullfighter - drew a capacity crowd Sunday at Mexico City's "Plaza de Mexico" - the world's largest bullring. The 24-year-old bullfighter came to Mexico to confirm her status as "matador" - a title granted last May. She toured Mexico last year as a "novillera" or apprentice. Cristina Sanchez was the first woman to wear the traditional "suit of lights" in Mexico. But her performance Sunday was somewhat short of spectacular. She seemed nervous and was unable to settle down to dominate her first bull. Sanchez struggled again with her second bull, taking four attempts to kill it. Overall, she faced six bulls, failing to dominate any of them. Sunday was definitely not Sanchez' lucky day. Outside the bullring a small group of people gathered to protest against bullfighting. Dressed in white they marched carrying a sign reading: "51 years of cruelty in Mexico Plaza. Let's end bullfighting." SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) We are protesting against the mistreatment and torture to animals in the bull plaza. Obviously we are not against the humanitarian sacrifice for those who eat the meat. But in this case particularly, they are applauding torture. It is a shame that children and others see this spectacle of torture to animals previously tortured in their pens, later in the ring. SUPER CAPTION: Protester The protesters were members of the Mexican Association for Animal Rights. They're just one of many groups around the world who believe animals must not be sacrificed for the sake of what some call "cultural events." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...