Leonardo Benitez was born in Caracas, Venezuela, February 18, 1970. His father
and a brother had both been novilleros before him. Leonardo first appeared in
the Nuevo Circo de Caracas bullring August 17, 1988, alternating with Erik Cortés
and Rafael Martínez, fighting novillos from Tarapio.
Leonardo's alternativa was
confirmed in Plaza México December 28, 1994. The San Marcos bull was named "Diamante,"
Mariano Ramos was his padrino, and Mauricio Portillo the witness. On March 19, 1995, Leonardo cut an ear from each of his bulls in the Insurgentes
plaza. The following temporada he cut another.
Leonardo is a lively, courageous
torero who always strives to perform his best -- and his best is quite good, indeed.
If you see Leonardo listed on any cartel, run to get a ticket.
(Thanks to Televisa for
the text from which this short biography was loosely translated by Mundo Taurino
(with a bit of our editorializing added). Our apologies, in advance, for any errors
due to our limited translation skill.)
