FORT WORTH, Texas ― Since winning the world title in 2008, Guilherme Marchi has often talked about the heart and blood of a World Champion.
Three times he had finished second in the world standings.
In 2005, Justin McBride hung off the side of Camo for 75 points to beat him out for the title. A year later, an aging Adriano Moraes came from behind during the World Finals to keep Marchi from winning the gold buckle, and in 2007 McBride simply outrode Marchi and the rest of the competition.
The heart Marchi spoke of was the determination to see his way through the challenge of winning.
The blood has to do with competing and, more specifically, the adrenaline of winning.
He was 26 years old when he won the gold buckle.
Guilherme Marchi celebrates winning the 2008 World
Championship. Photo by Andy Watson / BullStockMedia.com.
In the five years since, he's finished in the Top 5 three times, including a fourth second-place finish in 2012; but for first time in his life, Marchi speaks differently of his heart.
Revered for his overwhelming strength ― his muscular forearms have been featured in several magazines ― his eyes are glazed over as he says, "I am heartbroken."
Marchi spent the summer in Brazil with his extended family, including his wife Patricia and their two children Manela and Joao Gabriel.
However, the 31-year-old explained, "My wife and my kids live in Brazil right now. My wife, she doesn't want to live in the United States anymore and that's kind of broke my heart because I have a life with her and my kids. I love my kids. I talk to them every day and my wife every day. It's kind of hard for me because I'm so very close with my family and she say she wants to live over there because she say she feeling too much by herself here. I'm gone every week. That's what ya do, you know, I ride bulls and that's how I make my living-to try and give the best living for my wife and for my kids. It's broke my heart, but I need to keep up my head and ride my bulls and ― like you say ― when I come to the bull riding I forget everything. When I come back home everything comes back. I see the kids' bed, the shoes, the boots, the horse - everything - and it's kind of hard for me."
His voice trails off as he's reminded of the sadness.
He and Patricia have been here in the U.S. for the past 10 years, but in addition to their ranch in Ferris, Texas, they've always maintained a second ranch in Brazil.
A role model for others
In recent years, Brazilian newcomers have relied heavily on the likes of Marchi and Robson Palermo for guidance and help in transitioning to life in the U.S. and an unfamiliar culture. With Palermo having been in Brazil in recent months ― he returned Wednesday ― that responsibility has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Marchi.
He's gladly lent a hand.
However, for the past month ― since returning from Brazil and resuming the Built Ford Tough Series ― he's gladly accepted the company of his friends and fellow riders.
Agnaldo Cardozo, whose girlfriend lives in Brazil, has lived with Marchi all season and recently Edevaldo Ferreira, whose family is also back in Brazil, has moved in.
VIDEO: Guilherme Marchi talks about his passion for bull riding
To say he's a father-figure would misrepresent the bond they've formed.
Marchi, who said he's "very strong about this position," plans to return for an 11th season next year, feels he is more of an older brother type.
During the week the trio is inseparable.
They rope, train, and work at the practice pen together and, as Marchi said, "just talk about life. It really helps me."
Following the Oakland, Calif., event two weeks ago, Marchi and several of the other Brazilian riders, including last week's BFTS event winner Claudio Crisostomo, traveled to Pendleton, Ore., for a Touring Pro Division event ― something he ever rarely does. In fact, he hadn't been to that particular event since 2005. But he said he chose to go because, "There's nothing to do at home right now. I need to live on the road."
"The dedication here makes me work more hard," Marchi added. "It makes me focus more on the bull riding and the sport."
Overcoming a slump
After winning earlier this year in Sacramento, Calif., Marchi has been in the Top 10 for much of the season and has admittedly been rather quiet in working his way up the standings one position at a time. Last week, with an eighth place finish in Springfield, Mo., he reached the Top 5.
Marchi cited physical and mental demands as primary reasons the PBR "is hard," and he also noted that successful riders have to be fortunate enough to draw good bulls in order to put themselves in a position for a good draft pick in the championship round.
He's clearly rebounded from what he described as a slump going into the break.
He was 4-for-10 before heading to Brazil.
Fortunately, he had a good summer with his family and friends.
In addition to enjoying himself at home he also competed at PBR Brazil events every weekend, where he said he placed all summer. Not only did he gain confidence and momentum, but he also earned valuable points to remain in contention for a world title.
"But the bulls here are different," Marchi said. "It's another story. The PBR is the best in the world right here.
"I get back, I place every week here and make the short go every week and win one event. It makes me happy and helps my confidence and it helps me when I get on those great bulls. ... I'm 31 years old and I feel great. I'm ready to ride those bulls, and I know I have a lot of chance to finish strong again, but you never know. We still have (four) more events and still have the Finals."
Remaining focused towards another championship
Although his family situation "is really tough," it has made Marchi all the more mentally stronger when it comes to riding bulls. He's ridden nine of his last 15 bulls in the past five BFTS events, including a 3-for-3 performance in Nashville, Tenn., for his second win of the season.
He's recorded four straight Top-10 finishes and hasn't gone 0-for-the-weekend since bucking off a pair of bulls at the Last Cowboy Standing in Las Vegas in mid-May.
This year, he's covered 43.94 percent of his bulls and is currently ranked fifth in the world standings.
While he's still 3,500 points behind Silvano Alves, he's within 1,000 points of J.B. Mauney, Joao Ricardo Vieira and Marco Eguchi. With four regular-season events and the World Finals, including bonus bulls, there's just over a maximum of 10,000 points available.
Yes, he has his work cut out for him if he were to win his second world title in 2013.
But it's nothing compared to the difficulty of counting down the days until his family will join him in Las Vegas. Patricia and both of his children will be at the Finals in hopes of watching him win a gold buckle and another $1 million bonus.
"I wish to be a champion again, and I'm going to work hard to be a champion," Marchi said. "I'm putting everything into this competition."
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.