FORT WORTH, Texas – When Cassio Dias He was young, grew up in São Francisco de Sales, Brazil, used to ride on the arm of the sofa in his family’s house, pretending to be a bull rider.
His father would call in on his rides and announce that he had won the World Championship.
Now 22, Dias is the #1 rider in the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings and competing in his first PBR World Finals.
But as Dias prepared for battle inside Cowtown Coliseum at the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Eliminations, headphones in his ears, looking out over the historic venue, he still felt like that little boy.
“That little Cássio that was there on the sofa is here now inside me”, said Dias. “I always dreamed of this. I always did everything to be here today. I’m very happy with it and feeling like the same Cássio is there.”
Despite being so young, Dias is built in the mold of an old-school cowboy, with his suspenders and Lane Frost-inspired celebration. His favorite song is My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson, and it was, of course, the one playing in his headphones before the first round of eliminations.
The way things are going, Dias will be the hero of many young cowboys when the season ends.
Dias whistled 8 seconds into his World Finals debut, surpassing How are you by 86.75 points. It wasn’t the highest scoring race ever, but it was nice to tie for second in the round.
Things got tense when the ride was reviewed for a slap, but Dias shook his finger from side to side as the judges looked at the footage, and he was right. No cover.
“That was great body awareness,” said the two-time world champion Justin McBride said on CBS Sports Network. “Everything wanted to take him down on that bull.”
Dreams Come True: Cassio Dias Claims Glory Over Sava in 2024 PBR World Final
Cassio Dias rides Sava to 86.75 points in Round 1 of the 2024 PBR World Finals: UTB Elimination Rounds at Cowtown Coliseum in Ft. It’s worth it, Texas
It wasn’t enough to allow him to extend his lead at the top of the UTB standings as Eduardo Aparecido won the round, improving from 4th to 2nd place and reducing Dias’ advantage from 560.5 points to 552.33 points. But as long as he keeps rolling, aggregate victory – and 200 points – will be within his reach.
World title race remained intense as number 5 Alan de Souza also converted inside the Cowtown Coliseum, finishing sixth in the first round.
But it was Dias who entered the arena at the opening as the #1 rider, making the long walk through the ranks of his competitors, smiling the entire time.
It was the face of a man who knows he is number 1 and is enjoying the moment.
Dias designed Ricky Vaughn as his bovine opponent in the second round, which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The two faced off last month in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Dias came out on top with 90.5 points.
This was also Dias’ sixth victory of the season.
He won one more in the regular season finale in Louisville, Kentucky, bringing his total to seven this season, one short of the single-season record for most event wins.
Dias has a lot at stake in the World Finals – that record, Rookie of the Year honors and a world title.
But he still takes the opportunity to enjoy the stage and reflect on the little boy sitting on the arm of the sofa, dreaming of where he is now.
“It’s very exciting to be here at my first World Final,” said Dias. “But at the same time, I’m calm and focused on my bull and doing my best today.”
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media
