VIDEO NOTE – Josh Davis is in the blue shirt.
The annual Mexican Coaches Convention, aka the Aquatic International Clinic (CAI) in Leon, Mexico, is a great event with dozens of Olympians in attendance each year.
Josh Davis, a 5-time Olympic medalist, usually makes the trip. This year, he and his Olympic peers attended the final night of fun, which included bullfighting. According to Josh Davis, the crowd cheered for an Olympian to jump in the ring. Josh knew the Olympians presently training for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio wouldn’t do it, and he didn’t want to disappoint the crowd.
“It was midnight. I was tired from all of the activities and fun. We (the Olympians) were all tired, but I felt like I needed to get this done after a great event. So…suddenly, I’m climbing into the ring with a bull. They gave me instructions in Spanish, which I did NOT understand, and then, mere seconds later, a bull is charging at me. Watch the video. I made it out. Barely.”
PHOTO VAULT – JOSH FACING OFF WITH THE BULL
With more reflection on his Matador experience, Josh added:
I love the Mexican people, their food and their spirit. After teaching and traveling in Mexico for 10 years there was only one last thing to do to become an honorary citizen and prove that Latin blood is in me….to take on a bull in the ring and become a real Matador. As I looked in the bull’s eyes and saw his horns coming right at me I faced fear head on. To have my Olympic and Mexican Friends yelling “TORO!!!” as my life flashed before my eyes was something I will never forget. And I will never do it again!! Viva Mexico!
Davis, a man who enjoys life, always seems to be in the right place at the right time. In addition to his bullfighting adventure, he also got the opportunity for a photograph with former Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox with Josh Davis (courtesy of Josh Davis)
For complete highlights of CAI in Leon, Mexico go here.
Images are courtesy of Josh Davis.
Yikes. I thought the video was going to show a bull charging Josh once, but nope, he hangs around for FOUR charges.
Now how do you say “Watch this and hold my beer” in Spanish?
That USRPT comes in handy in and out of the pool.
Congrats Josh! Though if it had been a Longhorn bull, your survival would have been questionable!
You said the last thing to do to become an honorary citizen and prove your Latin blood after teaching and traveling in Mexico for ten years was to become a Matador, but it sounds like you’re still missing the most obvious step: Learning spanish! Of course it’s a tradeoff, because you would have understood the instructions and the reality of your situation, gotten your azz out of the ring pronto, and never become a Matador!