Brazil’s Marchi poised to win first career bull riding world title

By Brett Okamoto

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 | 2 a.m.

When Guilherme Marchi arrived in the United States from Brazil in 2004 to compete in the Professional Bull Riders league, there were some things he needed to learn.

“I was the first one to pick him up from the airport,” said Brazilian rider Paulo Crimber. “We stopped at McDonald’s and he went in the ladies restroom. To see him where he is now makes us very proud.”

The PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center is where Marchi is now poised to win the first world champion belt of his career. After finishing in second place the past three years, Marchi has built a virtually impossible lead for any rider to overcome and will set a PBR record for season points.

“It’s been hard for me,” Marchi said. “Sometimes I would think I’m no good, I try, try, and nothing. But my wife would say ‘never say that, you’re not hurt, you have no broken bones, you still have your dream and you’re here today.’”

Continuing his record pace from the entire season, Marchi has riden all five bulls of competition in the world finals, an accomplishment that hasn’t been done since Ty Murray did it in 1999. Marchi doesn’t stand alone in the feat -- J.B. Mauney has also ridden every bull he’s got on and actually leads Marchi in finals points.

“We’re in the World Finals, with the best bulls and the best riders,” Marchi said. “You see that every night. J.B. has come out really strong, he’s coming here to win every time. I just have to ride my bulls and I’m grateful for the position I’m in.”

It’s been an exciting two weeks for Brazilian riders, including a round-best 92.25 ride Friday by Renato Nunes. Marchi, Nunes and Valdiron de Oliveira give Brazil three of the top five spots in points this year.

Crimber has been in attendance to celebrate with his friends but hasn’t been able to ride. Crimber rebroke a vertebrae in his neck in June, keeping him on the sidelines for the remainder of the year.

“It’s always good to be in Vegas and I’m happy to be walking and to be here today,” Crimber said. “But I feel like I could just grab my gear and go get on a bull and I know I can’t do that.”

Brazilian legend Adriano Moraes is competing in his last World Finals, as he has announced his retirement at the end of this season. Moraes is a three-time world champion and mentor to nearly every Brazilian rider who joins the PBR.

“He’s pushed me since I came to the United States,” Marchi said. “He’s not just my friend -- he’s like my brother. Everybody’s going to miss him. It’s very hard for him because he loves what he’s doing. He’s the best of the world.”

The world finals continue at 6 p.m. today with the sixth round at the Thomas & Mack Center.