18-Year-Old Bull Riding Icon Marco Rizzo Pays Tearful Tribute to Family After Historic Charleston Win

As PBR points out and the bull riding community agrees, the past season and persisting one have seen some of the best ‘rookie talent’ of late. ‘One of the most talented groups in recent memory,’ it calls the class of 2024. Today as the 2024 Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour carries on for its next season, its weekly champions, or rather specifically last week’s add weight to the claim.

The Velocity Tour is a rodeo series organized to provide a wider ground for aspiring bull riding athletes to make their way up the ladder. The five-month event tours 30 cities to fetch the finest of athletes and lend a pathway to the World Finals qualification. On the path to doing so, PBR stumbled upon its rising talent for the year with his first-ever win.

A tribute to the family

On the 13th of January, the Charleston Coliseum witnessed a young talent rise to victory with a 2-for-3 ride. Marco Rizzo, not new to the Velocity Tour with two impressive rides, won over the judges and the hearts in the arena. “At 18-years-old Marco Rizzo made his dreams come true with his first-ever win in Charleston, WV!” PBR wrote on Instagram honoring the bull riding talent. The first PBR buckle evoked a heartfelt response from the Quitman native.

“It means the world to me. I grew up dreaming of this moment ever since I was little bitty,” the youngster starts. “My mom and my dad are up there watching and they know how hard it was. So I bet this is pretty cool for them too. It’s a family thing. I have been at it my whole life,” Marco proceeds. Thanking his parents for doing all they can to get him here, the young star ensured a remarkable bull riding beginning.

A maiden victory for the rising bull riding talent

For the fourth week of PWVT, PBR reached Charleston Coliseum, West Virginia for a showdown. The city hosted 2nd of the 3 two-day shows of the tour inciting excitement and anticipation. 18-year-old Marco Rizzo started strong in round 1 atop Blue Suede Shoes for 85.5. For round 2 the next day, the youngster recorded an impressive 86-point ride, enough to claim the event victory.

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The triumph however earned Marco not only his first PBR buckle but also 113.5 Velocity Global points. With the impressive numbers on board, the 18-year-old also rose to the top of the early Velocity Tour standings with a total of 298.5. For the youngster who grew up with the hopes of a glistening future, it was indeed a dream come true. First victory in 3 entries and the youngster holds a promising talent for the bull riding industry.

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