World leader says replay challenge was to expose judging inconsistencies
GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 11, 2010) - Renato Nunes said he challenged Ryan McConnel’s score Friday night in the Final Five Showdown as a way “to show the people the judges [are] no good.”
Nunes had requested the review after McConnel received a score despite an apparent slap. The review resulted in a disqualification for McConnel.
In a telephone interview Saturday morning, Nunes said he was upset that Silvano Alves had been called for slapping his own leg with his free hand in Round 1 of the Greenville Invitational, and that Valdiron de Oliveira had been disqualified for taking too long in the chute.
Oliveira, who is in fourth place in the world standings and contending for his first world title, said the bull Fire Ant was leaning back in the chute, keeping him from getting ready. Alves’ ride was reviewed, but the call wound up being upheld after replay judge Dean Wilson ruled that the video footage was inconclusive.
According to Nunes and Ednei Caminhas, the Alves call was “not fair” because it was made by back judge Jim Bob Custer, who was situated on the opposite side of the bull from where the alleged slap occurred.
Both riders then felt the Oliveira disqualification came only because of Nunes’ verbal dispute with the judge in question. Nunes said the judge told him he "didn’t know [anything].”
“I showed him he doesn’t know anything,” said Nunes, who added that he wanted an opportunity to prove his point. He said that his actions had nothing to do with McConnel, “but somebody had to pay.”
“Everybody saw it happen,” said Nunes of the McConnel slap that went uncalled. “They’re the only four people in the building who didn’t see it. I asked the judge first if he saw it, he said, ‘No.’
“All the guys saw it, but nobody had the heart to push the button. I feel really bad. I’m friends with Ryan.”
Nunes said he intends to talk privately with McConnel before tonight’s final two rounds.
“I didn’t see him last,” Nunes said. “I will for sure talk to him.
“I don’t need to do that to be a World Champion. I will be the Champion anyway.”
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