Carlos Olsina: “A career is not built on a bullfight”

Carlos Olsina revient à Béziers un an après l'indulto d'un toro de Margé. Midi Libre – Stéphan Guin

Après son indulto et sa grande prestation en 2023, le torero Biterrois aborde ses retrouvailles avec son public et la ganaderia de Margé avec beaucoup d’ambition.

What memories do you have of your triumph in Béziers in 2023 ?

It was an extraordinary moment to touch two such good bulls and share all these emotions with my audience. This bullfight boosted my morale because these two Margé allowed me to express my toreo and demonstrate that I could have a place of choice in the bullfighting world. Living this moment in this arena where I grew up and in front of my audience, remains a memory engraved for life.

“Preparing as if you had 40 paseos”

Getting up to the level of great bulls is never easy. Especially when you don't fight much…

Béziers was my only paseo of the year. Manuel Escribano taught me that a bullfighter must prepare as if he had 40 bullfights signed even if you don't have a contract. So, I invest 200% every day because I have to seize every opportunity that presents itself. This bullfight in Margé rewarded all this effort because facing such encasté bulls requires you to be at your best. But these brave bulls are the ones who build you as a bullfighter and prove your worth.

This indulto and the big faena did not open the doors to the big Ferias for you. Do you feel bitterness ?

It is not a disappointment because a career is not built on one bullfight. I prefer to remember the positive side of this triumph. This year, I will do four paseos. That is, four times more than last year. This bullfight has given me confidence and strengthened my belief that I have the qualities to become an important bullfighter. I must continue to work and progress and, sooner or later, the doors of the big ferias will open.

How did your first two bullfights go this year??

The season is going well so far but I want much more. These two paseos have shown aficionados and professionals that Béziers was not the result of chance. This triumph was not a stroke of luck but the reward of daily work for years. The ear of Alès and the great gate of Istres encouraged me to surpass myself and progress further and arrive with great confidence in Béziers and then in Bayonne.

“Béziers, an opportunity to claim my place in the ferias”

How do you approach these next two cartels ?

These are two very important bullfights in first-class but very different arenas. Béziers is my arena, my home and each paseo always has a very special colour. Finding the Margé with two bullfighters like Juan Leal and Clemente who work very well, is a great opportunity to claim my place in the ferias. As for the bullfight of the six bullfighters in Bayonne, it is the perfect place and time to present myself as a matador de toros in the South-West.

What are your ambitions for 2025 ? You still have the will to find an apoderado who joins your duo with Swan Soto ?

For now, I remain focused only on the two bullfights that remain for me this year because I have to strike two big blows. Then, at the end of the year, we will see if we can find the right person to allow us to move up a gear and enter more French ferias and open doors for us in Spain. The Copa Chenel will be an ambition in 2025 because it is an opportunity for all bullfighters in my situation.