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ABRAHAM WONG

Mr. Wong lived in the city of Imperial Canete and became one of the most famous breeders of gallo canetano, his legacy passes to his sons Danny and Micky, who have followed their Dad Learning and continue with a coliseo de gallos Abraham Wong. Abraham becomes a role model on my basis of Game fowl as a young man. Living and working with him I realized the art and selection of quality game fowls, he has been a mentor in my life and for sure has a special place in my heart.

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FERNANDO GRAÑA ELIZALDE

Senor Grana was another legend in the Peruvian History of game fowls, his characteristic on improving the looks of game fowl was recognized throughout all Peru. His legacy of breeding the Golden Rooster and the white patched manzanillo and the famous Gray Giro plata without forgetting the explendor white rooster made him an outstanding breeder. Peruvians could not understand how this breeder created a beautiful specimen that carried the highest standard on the games shows.

I had the opportunity to visit him many times in hacienda Huando, which produces fruits. Every time I went to visit him, I had the urge to meet him and see all the famous roosters in his shed…He wondered many times how a 12 year old kid had the guts to travel for 3 days just to meet him.. He allowed me to see his shed and answered all my questions and curiosities I had about him. He was simple, educated, gentle and giving. After 1 to 2 days of talking to him I made a purchase of a small quill size stag. Later I realized that I never paid enough for the stag and food..This is a man that made a mark in my life as a breeder.

This is some of the birds that he has bred during his life!

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I want to thank some of my dear close friends and family for being part of my life and supporting me in the sport that I believe in and care about. Thanks to all off you with the bottom of my heart. Not at least to my American Breeders and mentors. Jim Alan, Ray Alexander, Ronnie Omacker, Jeff Gaston, Bill Roberts and many more. Thank you.

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HISTORY OF FIGHTING COCKS

   Fighting cocks arrived from Europe, brought by caravels during the discovery of America, spreading throughout the Caribbean islands and into northern South America. Later, Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico and Peru with new ships, bringing “Bankiva” type roosters. It is said that “Malayo” type roosters arrived in Brazil on Portuguese and Dutch ships from India.

   The Viceroyalty of Peru was the central government of Spain in South America, and the conquistadors Pizarro and Almagro were responsible for introducing their traditions and culture. Therefore, it is speculated that among the recreational activities they brought were the first roosters known as “Castilian” and the Spanish fighting roosters. Over the years, this pastime would come to occupy an important place among all the people of the Viceroyalty, from commoners to gentlemen and viceroys, especially in Lima, and would later spread to other towns and cities such as Callao, Barranca, Supe, and Ilo, which had direct access to ships bringing live specimens from Spain, Holland, Belgium, and France.

   Until the 18th century, Spanish chroniclers made no reference to cockfighting in the country, but starting with the government of Viceroy Amat y Junyent (1761–1776), cockfighting began to be regulated and organized in Peru. We must not forget that Viceroy Amat was appointed Governor of Chile in 1755; from there he brought his passion and some specimens.

   At that time, the cockfighting tradition that came from Spain consisted primarily of fighting small roosters with spurs, which were weighed and compared before entering the ring. That is, what is known today in Peru as “Beak and Spur Cockfighting.” It is also known that from that moment on, other breeders began to fight stronger and more powerful roosters, of greater weight.

   As these events became so popular, the Viceroy, to maintain order, decided to regulate everything related to the fights, including the authorized days for the fights, the fees of the judge and the town council, among other points.

   Most importantly for us, he authorized “Covered Fights,” and he did so because at that time merchants from all over the world were bringing Oriental roosters that were much larger than the Spanish ones, generating disputes and differences among breeders when comparing them. He resolved this by dividing the cockfighting tradition into two: “beak and spur” and “covert or blade” fights.

   There is also another written account indicating that, despite the variety of breeds that arrived in the country from other countries and continents, the “Grand Combattant du Nord” breed was brought to Peru by Generals and Colonels from French missions, who arrived between 1896 and 1920. These animals gave the Creole fighting rooster greater prominence and provided it with certain characteristics that still prevail.

   The first recorded cockfighting arena dates back to 1762 when Viceroy Amat accepted a proposal—one version says it was submitted by the Catalan Don Juan Garriel, and another by a French businessman, Jean Garreaud—to build a comfortable cockfighting arena called ”  La Plazuela de Santa Catalina,”  where fights would be held on Sundays, holidays, and weekdays authorized by the Viceroy on behalf of the King of Spain.

   Later, in 1790, Don Calixto Pozo commissioned the construction of a monumental cockfighting arena, unlike any other, offering the public order, cleanliness, and a variety of services. Currently, the Coliseo de Gallos Tradición Sandia is considered one of the most modern, functional, and comfortable arenas in the world.

   Ricardo Palma describes a cockfight that took place in Lima on September 15, 1874, in his work “Tradiciones, Artículos y Cachivaches” (Traditions, Articles, and Odds and Ends). In it, he details the seven fights, which we will not recount today, but he notes that the longest fight lasted 1 minute and 50 seconds, and the shortest was decided in 11 seconds. Therefore, we assume the fights were fought with blades and with strong, accurate roosters.

   This same account is also published in the book “La Riña de Gallos” (The Cockfight) by the Chilean authors Carlos Fabres (a cockfighting celebrity in that South American country) and Juan Uribe. This book also includes the story by Don Rafael Maluenda, entitled “The Steel Scimitar,” which was originally published in “El Mercurio” of Chile on December 23, 1928. This story recounts a cockfight in Lima and refers to the weapon used as “a scimitar about 8 cm long, slightly curved, and attached by a forked hook to the rooster’s leg.”

   To conclude this narrative, it is fitting to quote some words from one of the great Peruvians of our time, a cultivator and promoter of various traditions,  Don Fernando Graña Elizalde:

“Cockfighting is the noblest hobby there is, because until you can think straight, you will continue breeding and you will always have a new generation, and therefore, you will always feel young…”

   It is also important to mention some classic words spoken at the most traditional and representative cockfighting arena in our country:  Sandia.

Don Alejandro Orfila, then Secretary General of the OAS in 1965, stated that he had never before witnessed such chivalry and respect from such a diverse group of people for a noble pastime.  He said this when Don Arístides Gonzales-Vigil Picasso requested silence during the fight at the Sandia Coliseum.

   It is also important to mention the Sandia slogan, established by Don Arístides Gonzales-Vigil Picasso, a member of the second generation of the Gonzales-Vigil dynasty.

“LET THE ROOSTERS FIGHT WHILE THE OWNERS FRATER” 

HISTORY OF SANDIA

    On August 15, 1918, Don Aurelio Gonzáles-Vigil Pimentel began the family’s cockfighting history by holding the first cockfight at the “La Oroya” Coliseum, located on the street of the same name.

   The following year, for reasons of comfort and better infrastructure, he moved to the La Pampilla Coliseum, located on Guillermo Dampsey Avenue, behind the CGTP (General Confederation of Peruvian Workers).

   In 1920, the famous fights took place between Don Aurelio Gonzáles Vigil Pimentel and the brothers Enrique and Tomás Valega, with Don Aurelio emerging victorious. This created a sense of healthy rivalry among the Valega brothers, which motivated the construction of the Sandia Cockfighting Coliseum, under the management of the Valega brothers, thus promoting the spread of this noble pastime.

   Finally, in 1930, Don Aurelio González Vigil moved to Sandia, assuming full control of the Coliseum.

   In April 1933, the Sandia Coliseum burned to the ground, killing 150 of its finest animals. It was subsequently rebuilt by Don Aurelio and his sons José Aurelio, Humberto, and Arístides.

   On April 12, 1943, Don Aurelio passed away, and his sons José Aurelio, Humberto, and Arístides took over the management of the Coliseum.

   In 1963, the Sandia Coliseum was remodeled, and the mezzanine was inaugurated. It was blessed by the late Archbishop Augusto Vargas Alzamora, and the renovation was so successful that from that point on, the Coliseum’s doors were closed—due to overcrowding (capacity 900 people)—for approximately 10 to 15 performances per year.

   Additionally, José Aurelio, Humberto, and Arístides traveled constantly throughout the country, promoting and disseminating this noble tradition by participating in provincial championships and inviting breeders to participate in the championships held in Sandia.

   In 1971, José Aurelio passed away, leaving his brother Arístides in charge of the business. He remained in charge until December 18, 1998, when he handed the reins to his son Augusto, a member of the  third generation.

   On November 22, 1987, the Sandia Coliseum closed its doors permanently because some council members of the Municipality of Lima encouraged the creation of a street vendor market in front of the Coliseum, thus damaging its image and safety, despite having presented them with a relocation project to the Cotabambas Fairgrounds, which included lighting and restrooms.

   Consequently, Don Arístides moved to the “Coliseo Rosedal de Surco” on the Plaza de Armas, where it operated until the end of 1989.

   In September of that year, Don Arístides, along with his son Augusto, inaugurated the Coliseo Puerta de Hierro in partnership with Rodolfo Matellini and Julio Vera Gutiérrez, who later withdrew from the venture. After four years, the Casa Marsano, where the Coliseo Puerta de Hierro was located, was sold by the Vera Gutiérrez Group to a hotel consortium, making the 1993 season its last at that venue.

   On May 1, 1994, in the traditional and bohemian district of Barranco, the Coliseo Tradición Sandia opened its doors at the end of the Vía Expresa, with the inauguration of the tourist complex blessed by Reverend Father Hubert Lanssiers. Built to resemble the original Sandia and preserving the architecture of old Barranco, it offers all the comforts one could expect from a venue of such beauty: cockfighting boxes on the first floor, with table service by uniformed and professional waiters; galleries for cockfighting enthusiasts and connoisseurs; and on the mezzanine, comfortable boxes and tables with the same level of service for the executive, social, and tourist sectors.

   This multifunctional coliseum, with its recent renovations, has become the only amphitheater in the area. The city’s multipurpose venue, with seating for 300 people on three levels with a 50-centimeter height difference, currently hosts private entertainment events with food and beverage service, in addition to the traditional cockfighting spectacle on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights starting at 8 pm, and on Sundays at 5 pm.

   Furthermore, this multipurpose center has hosted exhibitions of visual arts, crafts, and photography; folkloric competitions featuring zapateo (a type of tap dance), percussion (

specializing in cajón, tondero, and marinera limeña); fashion shows; corporate events for product launches; advertising campaigns; and anniversary celebrations.

   Over the past 82 years, the most famous national championships have been held, offering the largest and/or most symbolic prizes. This is because it is the only organization that welcomes any enthusiast or breeder, without distinction of any kind (race, color, culture, or economic status). This led Don Arístides to organize the first Decentralized National Championship in 1981, in which enthusiasts from Cusco, Arequipa, Huaraz, and the entire coast participated. These championships were discontinued due to terrorism.

   There is a project to relaunch the Decentralized Championships, but discussions with private companies in the land transportation, hotel, and airline sectors are progressing slowly due to the current economic situation.

   It’s interesting to note that the passion for cockfighting that runs in the veins of the Gonzales-Vigil family isn’t limited to the men. Doña Victoria, sister of José Aurelio, Humberto, and Arístides, who joined them after their father’s death, is now 84 years old and keeps notebooks detailing all the championships held at the traditional Sandia venue. These notebooks contain descriptions of the fights and the roosters that competed in those championships.

   While she doesn’t attend as often as she’d like, it’s not unusual to see her in the company’s box at the championship finals and on special occasions when the roosters of her brother Arístides or her nephews Aurelio and Jorge (sons of José Aurelio), Arístides and Augusto (sons of Arístides), or José Alfredo Rospigliosi Gonzales Vigil (son of her sister Rosa) participate.

   Regarding the current championships, this is the only company that organizes four major championships, all of which are fully booked well in advance and feature the best breeders from across the country. These include the Aurelio Gonzales-Vigil Pimentel Trophy Championship (named after the company’s grandfather and founder), the National Breeders’ Competition for the “Grand Old Parr” Trophy, which includes 50 of the most prestigious breeders nationwide, the Reunion Championship, and the “Homage to the Old Breeders of Sandia” Championship, whose trophy is the traditional and coveted “Golden Crystal Rooster.”

   In short, the cockfighting world is returning to its traditional roots and showcasing true devotees of this noble sport with this arena, a true pioneer in Latin America and well worth a visit.

  The Gonzales Vigil family, with their long tradition in this field, awaits you starting May 1st on the nights mentioned above. That is, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 pm onwards, as well as Sunday afternoons.

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