ProRodeo Sports News - October 1, 2021

TOUR FINALE SALINAS, CALIF.

Stu Hagen photo Tie-down roper Marcos Costa clocked an 11.2-second time to win the final round. Costa is headed back to the Wrangler NFR for the first time since 2017. Storybook Tour Costa caps comeback season with Tour Finale victory

Marcos Costa’s return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is complete after having his career sabotaged by knee injuries the last several seasons. Costa, the first Brazilian to win a PRCA Tie-down Roping World Championship in 2017, will return to the NFR for the first time in four years, thanks to his performance at the ProRodeo Tour Finale. Costa won the four-man sudden-death round with an 11.2-second time. He entered Salinas eighth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings but left town with another $17,327. “This win means a lot, when you trust in God and don’t give up, things happen,” said Costa, 30. “This is proof. Never give up. This is a blessing for me, and I don’t

have words to explain what this means to me. I have practiced that run a million times. I just tried to relax and do my best.” Costa finished second in the eight-man semis with an 11.8-second run before notching his victory run. Costa, who is from Iretama, a small ranching and farming community in the southern state of Parana, was riding Pouraguaja, the reserve 2016 PRCA | AQHA Tie-down Roping Horse of the Year. Costa rode Pouraguaja, now 13, to the world title. “This season has been a blessing for me,” Costa said. “There was a lot of sweat and tears behind the scenes. I would not be here without the support and help I had when I was hurt to help me find doctors. Without all the help, I would not have made it back to the (NFR).”

ProRodeo Sports News 10/1/2021

ProRodeo.com

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