Bullfighter makes comeback 5 months after suffering gruesome goring

March 5, 2012, 12:47 AM EST

By PhotoBlog

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla performs during a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

A Spanish bullfighter who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury.

On Oct. 8, a bull's horn ripped into Juan Jose Padilla's lower jaw and caused his left eyeball to protrude as spectators screamed in horror. Padilla was seen getting up shouting, "I can't see, I can't see anything," his face gushing blood as assistants distracted the bull.

NYT: Bullfighter's return stuns a hardened sport

Now, wearing an eye patch and speaking with a lisp, Padilla fulfilled what he describes as an unquenchable desire to once again face massive 1,100-pound (500-kilogram) fighting bulls with the aid of only a cape and sword.

-- Reported by The Associated Press

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Spanish bullfighters Juan Jose Padilla, right, Jose Maria Manzanares, center, and Morante de la Puebla, wait to enter the arena before a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla adjusts his 'capote' before a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla, left, is greeted by the audience during a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla aims his sword during a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, who lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla is carried out of the ring among jubilant crowd scenes on the shoulders of fellow bullfighter Serafin Marin, a honor for the best performers, after a bullfight at the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Sunday, March 4, 2012. Padilla, 38-year-old matador who is also known by his professional name of 'the Cyclone of Jerez', lost sight in one eye and has partial facial paralysis after a terrifying goring returned to the bullring Sunday, five months after his injury.(AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP

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