And I thought that matadors were crazy yet badass….

In the name of entertainment and adrenalin, Spain’s bull leapers, known as “recortadores”, continue an ancient tradition that can be traced back to 1500 BC, during King Minos’ reign.

Teams of 5 to 7 bull leapers gather each year in cities like Valencia or Barcelona, to take part in a performance that many compare to the Russian roulette. Each team may face up to three bulls in the ring, at once, taunting and jumping over them just when the beats prepare to impale them.

The difference between these guys and bull fighters is that the bull isn’t sliced open and butchered in front of the crowd at the end of the event.  Also, bull fighters get to wear capes.

Check out the recortadores after the jump