18-yr-old who dreamt of becoming a pro bull rider dies from heart attack after being thrown off bull
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Thiago Castilho, an 18-year-old teenager who dreamt of becoming a professional bull rider, died after he had a heart attack after falling off a bull while competing in a rodeo in the southeastern Ribeirão Preto of Sao Paulo on Thursday, September 22. Castilho's dream was to become a professional and compete in US bull-riding events.
Numerous videos online show the 18-year-old bull rider climbing onto the bull, but was thrown off within eight seconds as he lost the grip on the rope. His neck hit the bull's horns. Two men ran to his aid as he lay unconscious on the ground while one man chased the animal, as per Daily Mail. Castilho was taken to the hospital shortly after but was pronounced dead early on Friday, September 23, after suffering a heart attack. The young man has turned 18 in February and began participating in larger rodeo shows in order to pursue his dreams.
READ MORE
'Dad of the year': Bull rider's father jumps into arena to save son from bull during rodeo
Dale Brisby's net worth: 'How to Be a Cowboy' star earns $100 from YouTube channel
The matter is being investigated by the Ribeirão Preto Civil Police and has been labeled as a "suspicious and accidental death." Castilho's father, Jean Carlos, told Brazillian news channel G1 that his son's love of riding started when he was 11 and rode his first horse. By the time he was 16, he rode his first ox. Jean Carlos said, "Unfortunately, that’s what rodeo is all about. It’s a dangerous sport. I always said to him, 'My son, stop it.'" He said that in response, Castilho would say, "If one day I die, I’ll die happy, I’ll die riding."
Castilho's sister, Thais Castilho Squarisi, paid a heartfelt tribute him on Facebook saying, "18 years old.. that was the time that God allowed me to live with you, I remember every step of yours, remember every achievement and remember every effort, you were always my other half, the purest and true love, and when I thought I already loved you very much, you turned up my son's godfather, there the love multiplied. Thiago, thank you for letting me be your sister. Thank you for every hug. Today I say goodbye to you, but with a see you later, never goodbye."
Post his death, local rodeo announcer Ronald Xavante remembered and honored Castilho as an up-and-coming star in the sport saying, "Thiago was an 18-year-old who, since he was a child, has awakened the dream of becoming a rider. His dream came true, so Thiago had given great presentations and sparked interest in several national rodeo teams."