Knee Replacement – Bullfighter Battles On
Bullfighting is one of the most nerve racking and
strenuous of sports but a knee replacement procedure and triple
heart bypass was no obstacle to 65 year old, Frank Evans, making
his return to the bullfighting arena.
According to a report in the Guardian, a 65 year old year
bullfighter originally from Salford, made his return to the
bullfighting arena some two years after retiring from the sport on
the advice of medical professionals. Frank Evans certainly is no
ordinary bullfighter, however, as he not only has recently
undergone a triple heart bypass operation but also had knee
replacement surgery after years spent in the bullfighting arena had
taken its toll on his joints and seriously inhibited his
mobility.
Knee Replacement – Miraculous Recovery
Given the combination of factors; namely, his age, a triple
bypass heart operation and knee replacement surgery, Frank Evans is
hardly the most likely candidate to step into the bullfighting
arena and pit wits against a colossal half ton beast. According to
the Guardian, however, Frank Evans, or ‘El Ingles’ as he is known,
is no amateur in bullfighting terms, having participating in the
sport for the last 40 years. It was an impending knee replacement
procedure and a triple heart bypass operation that reluctantly led
to him hanging up his cape in 2005 but he made a successful
comeback to the sport he loved in 2008. Speaking to the Guardian,
Frank Evans stated, “I made a mistake in retiring. It was forced
upon me at the time because my knee had deteriorated to such an
extent that I couldn't walk 10 yards without stumbling.” However,
after a successful knee replacement operation and a new prosthetic
knee, he was able to return to the arena.
Knee Replacement – Power of Positive Thinking
According to the report in the Guardian, despite initially
retiring from bullfighting after his knee replacement operation,
Frank Evans knew in his heart that he’d would always be a
bullfighter and a return to the sport seem fated. Speaking to the
Guardian, Mr Evans stated, “I'm a very optimistic person and I've
always felt I'm going to be OK. I just miss bullfighting. If you
are a bullfighter, it isn't about the two hours you spend in a
bullring on a Sunday afternoon. It's about the life you lead; you
train every day, you go out into the countryside in these ranches
where they breed the cattle and you practice with these young
animals. The two hours in the ring is really just the ending.” So,
despite serious procedures such as a knee replacement operation and
triple bypass surgery, it seems there is no stopping Frank Evans
returning to his matador ways.