2017 World Champions

Tie-down Roping

Marcos Costa Costa wins first world title

Marcos Costa made ProRodeo history at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, becoming the first Brazilian to win a gold buckle in tie-down roping. Through perseverance, he reached the top of the PRCA podium by earning $317,421. “This is a blessing to be the world champion,” said the 27-year-old from Iretama, a ranching and farming community of 11,000 in the southern state of Parana. “Thank you to God, I give all the credit to him. He’s surroundedme with a lot of great people since I was a little kid; I didn’t havemuch growing up. Stran (Smith) went to Brazil, foundme there and brought me here. Stran taught me almost everything about roping (in the PRCA). I’m just happy to be here, I’m the happiest man in the world.” Smith, Costa’s mentor, is the 2008 tie-down roping world champion.

Costa narrowly missed the world title during Round 10 of the 2016 Wrangler NFR, earning the reserve world champion spot. One year later, it was a case of déjà vu for Costa. He once again had the opportunity to strike gold with a clutch run. He did just that, clocking a 7.8-second time that put him in first place for the round with just one roper remaining – three-time world champion Tuf Cooper. If Cooper clocked in faster than 8.2 seconds, Costa would have lost the world title, but Cooper managed only an 11.0-second run. Costa’s first-place check in Round 10 ($26,231) and average winning check ($67,269) handed the Brazilian the world championship by $15,437. Costa won the average with 81.3 seconds on 10 head, while Cooper was second with a 91.0-second time on 10 head. “I was thinking,‘Just go rope that calf and try andwin the title,”’Costa said, referencing Round 10. “When I was praying (before the final round), I said that I was going to give every- thing I got to try and win the world if I have a chance. God’s plan is different than ours and if you trust in himwith all of your heart, things will happen for you.” The title-clinching performance by Costa in Round 10 was even more impressive, considering the calf he roped was used twice in competition – once for a no-time, the other in a run that lasted more than 20 seconds. Costa, a three-timeWrangler NFR quali- fier (2015-17), was thrilled to join his friend Junior Nogueira as the only Brazilian world champions in PRCA history. Nogueira, from Presidente Prudente, Brazil, won the all- around gold buckle in 2016. “Junior is my hero, and he always will be,” Costa said. “He’s like my brother. We are always giving each other advice and motivating each other. He’s a gift from God to me. I know our country is very proud of what Junior and I have been able to accomplish in the PRCA.” – Tracy Renck

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Greg Westfall

At the NFR, Marcos Costa reached the top of the PRCA podiumwith $317,421 and became the first Brazilian to win a world title in tie-down roping.

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2017 WORLD CHAMPIONS