By HARRY CLARKE
THE rodeo world has been left stunned by the toughness and determination of Queensland bull riding hero Ky Hamilton, who overcame a concussion, a broken rib and a night in hospital during the US National Finals Rodeo to sensationally win the premier event and become the first ever Australian to claim a bull riding world title.
Hamilton, from Mackay, was knocked unconscious when he was flung violently from the back of a bull named “MAGA” in the fifth round of 2023 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas over the weekend.
The packed crowd in the hallowed Thomas & Mack arena fell silent as the 23-year-old was taken away in a stretcher to Nevada’s UMC Trauma Centre to be treated for concussion, a broken rib and bruising to the lung.
Local media began reporting that Hamilton’s come-from-behind surge toward his first world title was over.
But the following day, which renowned US rodeo commentator Steve Kenyon said “should probably be a day that everybody remembers in rodeo history”, Hamilton returned to the chutes and covered not one, but two bulls in thrilling 8-second rides.
By the end of Sunday’s final round, Hamilton had clinched the world title and set a new prize money record by winning $515,414 in a single year.
And as well as taking home the coveted Gold Buckle awarded to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Title winner, Hamilton was named overall Average Champion and Top Gun Winner for dominating the Wrangler NFR event.
“It’s a dream come true, not just for Ky but for Australians,” said Australian Professional Rodeo Association president Shane Iker.
“He’s an icon for Australia. He speaks so well and he represents us so well. It’s amazing.
“I don’t think I could put in words how big it is. It’s unbelievable. A huge feat.
“Bull riding is a tough enough game as it is… to be the best in the world at anything is good, but in a sport as tough as bull riding is just incredible.
“To do what he did in those circumstances – to get knocked out with a broken rib and then come back – I don’t know if they make stories like that anymore.”
Hamilton moved to Texas four years ago so that he could be among the best world’s cowboys and toughest bulls as he pursued his rodeo career.
In doing so he’s followed in the footsteps of some of Australia’s most decorated cowboys such as Troy Dunn and Greg Potter.
While Dunn won the Professional Bull Riders world title in 1995, Hamilton has become the first Australian winner of the prestigious Gold Buckle as PRCA world champion.
Hamilton’s cousin, Cameron Milner, said signs of Ky’s grit and determination were clear from a young age, and said he wasn’t surprised to see him return to the NFR arena after his injury.
“He always showed that he had the ability. He was always smarter than the rest. He rode correctly and his old man had him in the right spot, putting him on the right stock,” Milner said.
“He’s too tough. They would have had to strap him to the bed to keep him out of hospital. There was disbelief, but we knew he had it in him. He’s that tough and that determined.”