When John Crimber walks into Cowtown Coliseum, the 18-year-old will have the chance to make history as the youngest PBR world champion.
The challenge is not a longshot for the rookie. Crimber is ranked No. 2 heading into the world finals, less than one year into his professional debut.
鈥淚 really don鈥檛 see it much different as just another bull ride, you know?鈥� he said in an interview with the Fort Worth Report. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to go out there and stay on the bulls and do the same thing I鈥檝e always been doing.鈥�
For Crimber, the sport is in his blood.
鈥� rode bulls. And I鈥檝e always kind of looked up to him when I was a kid and always want to be like him. He鈥檚 my hero,鈥� Crimber said. 鈥淗e is the one who showed me the right way to go and put me on that path to be a bull rider. I鈥檝e just never seen myself being something different.鈥�
The competition begins May 9 at the historic Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave. Between May 9-12, the field will narrow from 45 of the world鈥檚 best riders to 20.
Athletes who are eliminated will have another shot to move ahead with the Ride for Redemption May 15-16 at Cowtown Coliseum. Riders with the top five aggregate scores will have the chance to join the original top 20 and compete in the championship rounds May 18-19 at .
A gold belt buckle and $1 million bonus are on the line for the first place finisher.
PBR World Finals at a glance
Eliminations: May 9-12 at Cowtown Coliseum
Ride for Redemption: May 15-16 at Cowtown Coliseum
Championship rounds: May 18-19 at AT&T Stadium
More information about times and ticket prices .
The competition is a way for Crimber to carry on his father Paulo鈥檚 legacy, whose career was cut short at age 28 after in the same season.
As for John, the prospect of an injury doesn鈥檛 phase him.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to think that with bull riding, you鈥檙e going to get hurt. (It鈥檚) just when and how bad,鈥� he explained.
But Crimber tries not to dwell on that prospect or on the mounting pressure and attention of competing on the big stage.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 think about those things,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a sport that I love, and I wouldn鈥檛 want to do nothing else.鈥�
Marcheta Fornoff covers arts and culture for the Fort Worth Report. Reach her at marcheta.fornoff@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board. Read more about our editorial independence policy.
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