Matador Christian Hernandez found himself quite literally on the horns of a dilemma.
He had been badly gored in the leg several months before, and here he was again face to face with a bull that had lowered its head and begun its determined charge.
The split-second decision for Hernandez to ponder: Should he fight or should he flee?
To cries of derision from a packed Plaza Mexico in Mexico City, Hernandez did what macho matadors seldom do: He dropped his cape, ran for the perimeter wall and vaulted over.
But not to complete safety, as it turned out. Hernandez was met by bullring officials, and the police, who arrested him Sunday for apparent breach of contract.
After paying a fine, he was later persuaded to return to what is the world's largest bullring -- but only long enough to put his hands over his head, pointing upward to the heavens, shaking his head and making exit No. 2.
"There are some things you must be aware of about yourself," the 22-year-old Mexican said later in a television interview, according to the Times of London.
"I didn't have the ability, I didn't have the balls, this is not my thing."
Hernandez later announced he had retired.
Score one for the bull, minus-1 for the matador.
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